|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSSAI rolls out scheme to bolster food testing infrastructure in India
|
|
Saturday, 05 November, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, New Delhi
|
|
fiogf49gjkf0d The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out a major scheme to strengthen the food testing infrastructure in India at an estimated cost of Rs 482 crore, in the light of the recent observations by the Bombay High Court regarding the urgent need to upgrade food testing laboratories in India.
The Empowered Committee constituted to implement this scheme held its first meeting in New Delhi on November 2, 2016. It was chaired by the FSSAI chairperson. Representatives of various ministries such as the ministry of health and family welfare, the ministry of food processing industries, the Export Inspection Council, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and seven states and Union Territories (UTs) - Goa, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Punjab - were present.
Proposals from the seven states/UTs were considered for strengthening their food testing infrastructure. Two proposals, from Chandigarh (Punjab) and Calicut (Kerala), were approved in principle. The other States were requested to revise and resubmit their proposals according to the scheme guidelines with mentorship support from FSSAI.
The committee also approved the proposal for strengthening the referral food laboratory at the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI) through the provision of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. The introduction of this equipment and facilities would significantly enhance the testing capability of CFTRI for adulteration of honey and pesticide and antibiotic residues in food samples.
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.
Sixty-two mobile testing labs will also be established across all states/UTs. There are currently four mobile food testing labs (in Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu), which will serve as models for these mobile testing labs.
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 or colleges across the country to promote a culture of safe and wholesome food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|