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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in the process of establishing a high-tech laboratory network that will be referred to in case of conflicting results during primary testing of food samples.
The lab network will be created in a phased manner and is expected to take about a year to complete.
The food regulator has identified about 15 laboratories across India that will be upgraded with state-of-the-art infrastructure to conduct advanced testing.
The results from the designated labs could act as evidence for punitive action in case the sample fails quality testing.
FSSAI is aiming to use these labs to resolve whatever disputes or confusion arises out of conflicting test results from different laboratories.
The food regulator is also upgrading the existing government laboratories to bring uniformity in the quality of testing procedures.
FSSAI will be creating four new labs in Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai where samples will be tested using modern methods. There will be dedicated sections for testing of dairy, poultry, vegetables and other items.
India has more than 250 food-testing laboratories, of which about 150 are run by either the state or central governments. A budget of Rs 480 crore has been allocated for the creation and overall upgradation of food testing labs.