The laboratories testing food samples in Tamil Nadu, that are located in Madurai and Chennai, are undergoing an upgradation and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Chennai:
The laboratories are expected to receive various new facilities, including infrastructure to check for pesticide residue, antibiotic residue, heavy metals and other microbiology tests.
The State government undertook the upgradation considering the increased demand for advanced testing of the food samples. The laboratories require to cater to the needs of advanced testing of food samples as many types of additives and adulterants are difficult to identify. This highlights the need for advanced testing equipment and machinery.
“The government needs to fast-track the work. The civil and electronic works are being undertaken at the laboratories and they are expected to start functioning by December. The Centre is funding the upgradation through Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” said Pawan Aggarwal, chief executive officer of FSSAI.
Meanwhile, private food testing laboratories that are FSSAI notified can be used by the government, he added. The officials pointed out that the renovation of the laboratories is going on at a slow pace and this has increased the load on the laboratories.
Traders had earlier raised the issue of delayed testing of samples that leads to the expiry of food samples before they are tested. Senior officials of the food safety department said that advanced testing methods will ease the process, however, more laboratories are required to meet the greater demands of testing food samples throughout the State.
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