Over 700 food testing laboratories in India at present: Ministry of Food Processing

Food adulteration is a major issue and it relates to people’s health. The government of India has informed the parliament that there are 726 Testing Laboratories for food products in the country as per study conducted by Ministry of Food Processing Industries in 2020-21 and these Laboratories are operational at different levels of operation and testing of food products.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha informed this and said, “Out of these, 585 food testing laboratories have obtained Accreditation as per the international standards.”

He also informed the parliament that there are three central sector schemes implemented by the Government of India, wherein financial assistance is provided to establish/upgrade Food Testing Laboratories to meet with international standards i.e. ISO/IEC 17025/NABL.

“The three central sector schemes are (i) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, (ii) Strengthening of Food Testing System in the Country including provision of Mobile Food testing Lab implemented by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and (iii) Financial Assistance for Quality Development Scheme implemented by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under Ministry and Commerce and Industries,” he said.

“Government of India does not establish any Food Testing Laboratory on its own. The proposals for Food testing Laboratories received are demand-driven and there is no specific state-wise target,” he added. There are also Food Testing Laboratories supported by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.