AP opens first-ever microbiology food testing lab, 4 mobile units post-bifurcation

Visakhapatnam: To strengthen the food safety testing mechanism in Andhra Pradesh, a microbiology food testing laboratory and four mobile food testing laboratories were inaugurated recently in Visakhapatnam by prime minister Narendra Modi remotely.

Post bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh remained for almost a decade without a state food testing laboratory and mobile food testing laboratories. Finally, two food safety infrastructures with advanced testing equipment have been established by the AP government in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

AP government, FSSAI joint initiative

As per information from the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of AP had entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FSSAI, Government of India in 2022-23, to strengthen the state food safety testing ecosystem with 100 per cent Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

In this regard, the regional food laboratory, Visakhapatnam, was selected to be upgraded as a state food laboratory and a turnkey microbiology laboratory was established with CSS funds. FSSAI has sanctioned Rs 4.77 crores to the microbiology laboratory and agreed to provide manpower for the smooth functioning of the laboratory for five more years.

Equipped with high-end and latest equipment, the Rs 4.77 crore-worth state microbiology food testing laboratory in Pedda Waltair will test various microbiological organisms. The services of the lab will be essential in testing contaminated food and water, especially during disease outbreaks such as diarrhoea, food poisoning etc. The microbiology lab can test 15,000 samples per annum.

Four mobile food testing labs

Apart from the state microbiology food testing lab, four mobile laboratories were also inaugurated. Mobile food testing labs are extensively used for creating awareness of food safety across the country.

After the bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh did not have mobile food testing laboratories till late 2023. Hence, The AP government decided to enter into a MoU with FSSAI with a 60:40 funds ratio to strengthen the state food safety testing mechanism to procure four MFTLs/FSWs (Mobile Food Testing Lab/Food Safety on Wheels).

In this regard, the commissioner of Food Safety, AP procured four FSWS worth Rs 2.07 crores under 60:40 funds sharing between FSSAI and AP Government as part of a work plan in December 2023. FSSAI has sanctioned Rs 1.24 crores for the procurement of four FSWs while the government of AP contributed a matching grant of Rs 83 lakhs.

Mobile labs can perform 80 different tests

The mobile food testing laboratory can perform 80 different tests to detect adulteration in food products. FSW has a Rapid Milk Screener that can test different parameters of milk in a short time.

The services of FSW are essential for on-spot testing of contaminated food and water especially during disease outbreaks such as diarrhoea, food poisoning etc. The Food Safety on Wheel (FSW) vehicles can render services in tribal and remote areas too as the vehicles have six wheels, which is suitable for travelling in hilly regions.

TPC (Total Polar Compound) meter can test the free radicals load in used cooking oil on the spot. A magic box with a rapid testing facility can detect adulteration in multiple food products in less than a minute.

The introduction of four FSWs in the Food Safety Department of AP will help generate awareness among consumers and the general public and adhere to FSSAI quality standards by food business operators.