In a bid to strengthen food testing infrastructure in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is rolling out a scheme to upgrade food testing laboratories with an investment of ₹482 crore.

The scheme is undertaken in the light of recent observations of the Bombay High Court regarding the urgent need to upgrade these labs in the country.

Mobile labs “Under this scheme, 45 State/UT food testing labs (at least one in each State/UT with a provision of two labs in larger states) and 14 referral food testing labs will be upgraded to enable them to obtain NABL accreditation. Besides, 62 mobile testing labs will also be established across all States/UTs,” the regulator said in a statement.

The regulator added that the mobile food testing labs set up in Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will serve as a model for these mobile testing labs.

The empowered committee, which was constituted to implement the scheme, held its first meeting on November 2, chaired by the Chairperson of FSSAI. Representatives from the Centre and various state governments are members of the committee.

Labs in schools “Capacity building of the food testing labs is also an important component of this scheme. In addition, a school food and hygiene programme has been envisaged under which basic food testing labs will be set up in 1,500 schools and colleges across the country to promote a culture of safe and wholesome food,” the statement added.

The Committee also approved the proposal for strengthening the referral food laboratory at Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI).

“Introduction of modern equipment and facilities would significantly enhance the testing capability of CFTRI to detect the adulteration of honey and pesticide and antibiotic residues in food samples,” the statement added.

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