Key Update

Consumers in Haryana can now get commonly consumed food items screened for adulteration for ₹20, with preliminary results available in about 10 to 12 minutes. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has deployed five mobile food-safety laboratories across the state to bring testing closer to the public. The vans will operate on a rotational basis at markets, bus stands, schools, colleges and other high-footfall locations, additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Sumita Misra said.

What Can Consumers Test?

Consumers can bring samples of milk, spices, pulses, edible oils and other commonly consumed foods for preliminary testing. Each sample will cost ₹20, allowing people to access basic food-safety screening without visiting conventional laboratories. The mobile laboratories will combine on-the-spot testing with consumer awareness and food-safety enforcement. Food safety officers will also collect random samples and conduct preliminary screening at the location.

Testing During Fairs and Gatherings

The mobile units will serve as field-level enforcement facilities during fairs, festivals and other large gatherings, where temporary food stalls and vendors often operate in large numbers. If a sample appears suspicious or fails the preliminary test, officials will take further action under the prescribed food-safety regulations. This will allow authorities to identify potentially unsafe food more quickly at the field level.

Focus on Consumer Awareness

Along with testing, the vans will conduct awareness programmes covering food adulteration, fortified foods, nutrition labels, hygienic food handling and common signs of adulteration or food spoilage. The initiative aims to strengthen food-safety surveillance while making testing more accessible to consumers. It will also support the Centre’s Eat Right India initiative by combining testing, enforcement and public education.

Misra said the mobile laboratories would expand food-safety surveillance across markets, educational institutions and mass gatherings while providing citizens with a quick and affordable preliminary testing facility.

Source: Hindustan Times 

The Times of India