Food testing at doorstep in Telangana

Hyderabad:  Testing for adulterants in food items that are consumed on a daily basis will be now available at the doorstep of consumers in Telangana. The State Health Department in collaboration with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday launched ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ concept that will conduct simple tests to detect […]

Hyderabad:  Testing for adulterants in food items that are consumed on a daily basis will be now available at the doorstep of consumers in Telangana.

The State Health Department in collaboration with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday launched ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ concept that will conduct simple tests to detect common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil and other food items that are consumed on a daily basis.

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Health Minister T Harish Rao on Friday launched four food testing mobile units worth Rs 2.40 crore, which will visit urban neighbourhoods and conduct tests on food items. Apart from the mobile units, he also inaugurated upgraded Food Testing Laboratory of Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), Nacharam, which was taken up by FSSAI with a cost of Rs 10 crore. “The food testing facilities will be offered free of cost for people of Telangana. Apart from Hyderabad, these mobile labs will be introduced in Warangal, Khammam and Nizamabad, and the facilities will also be used for building awareness on food safety, hygiene and promoting healthy eating habits among citizens at large,” said Dr K Shankar, Director, IPM.

The mobile food testing labs will visit designated public locations and conduct spot checks for the purity of the food items. Trained laboratory food testing personnel will be conducting the tests while food inspectors of GHMC collect the food samples. “Such activities play a vital role in making people aware on food adulteration and there is a need for people to be aware of various modes in which their food is adulterated,” Dr Shankar said.

The mobile testing labs will also conduct training and certification programme for food handlers and supervisors in food businesses, particularly petty food businesses. In addition, these mobile units would help field functionaries enhance their outreach and conduct surveillance activities even in far flung areas, senior health officials said.

The upgradation of the food testing laboratory of IPM at Nacharam with a cost of Rs 10 crore is part of the larger plan of the FSSAI to strengthen food testing infrastructure in the country at an overall estimated cost of Rs 482 crore. The aim is to focus on all aspects of food testing systems including strengthening of State food labs and referral labs, capacity building of food analysis and other technical personnel engaged in the analysis of food.

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