BHOPAL: The food and drug administration (FDA) officials would hit the roads again - only this time with an upgraded mobile laboratory to test and analyze food products on the spot. If contamination in food items is established, the food inspectors would be able to penalise violators on the spot, under the new food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) Act.
The new mobile laboratory is likely to start functioning from September, which would travel across the state.
MP food safety commissioner, M Geetha told TOI, "The installation of mobile laboratories would help FDA test food samples quickly, picked right from the source of productions be its milk, vegetables or others. "Our facility would be able to analyze the produce for different parameters of contamination," she said. The parameters include testing for colour, pesticide recede and hormones in products.
The mobile laboratory would also promote transparency. "Since, the test report would be available instantly, it would not leave much room for complaints," said FDA officer C Meena. Currently, laboratory test reports take about a fortnight to come. Businesses have often claimed that the elapsed time has a detrimental effect on their business.
A budget of approximately Rs 55 lakh has been allocated for the new mobile laboratory. "We are awaiting design specs as the chassis has already been purchased," said Meena.
"In addition the mobile lab would target facilities which have sickened people in the past," he added. A positive test result for contamination after sample screening can be sent for more extensive testing to confirm the mobile lab's results.
The new mobile laboratory is likely to start functioning from September, which would travel across the state.
MP food safety commissioner, M Geetha told TOI, "The installation of mobile laboratories would help FDA test food samples quickly, picked right from the source of productions be its milk, vegetables or others. "Our facility would be able to analyze the produce for different parameters of contamination," she said. The parameters include testing for colour, pesticide recede and hormones in products.
The mobile laboratory would also promote transparency. "Since, the test report would be available instantly, it would not leave much room for complaints," said FDA officer C Meena. Currently, laboratory test reports take about a fortnight to come. Businesses have often claimed that the elapsed time has a detrimental effect on their business.
A budget of approximately Rs 55 lakh has been allocated for the new mobile laboratory. "We are awaiting design specs as the chassis has already been purchased," said Meena.
"In addition the mobile lab would target facilities which have sickened people in the past," he added. A positive test result for contamination after sample screening can be sent for more extensive testing to confirm the mobile lab's results.
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