Report

Andhra Pradesh is set to launch its first-ever State Food Lab in Visakhapatnam this April as construction nears completion. The lab, spread across 12,000 square feet, has been built at a cost of approximately ₹20 crore. It will feature cutting-edge technology to test the quality of food samples collected by government agencies. The lab will also offer testing services to individuals for a nominal fee, allowing citizens to verify the safety of their food.

Regional Labs Coming Up in Guntur, Tirupati, and Tirumala

In the next six months, the government will operationalize three regional food labs in Guntur, Tirupati, and Tirumala.

• The Guntur lab, being constructed on the Guntur Medical College campus, covers 12,000 square feet.

• The Tirupati lab spans 11,000 square feet.

• Combined, the two labs cost around ₹19.76 crore.

These labs will test food samples from both government and private organizations, charging a fee for their services. The Tirumala lab, however, will focus solely on analyzing food prepared by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and will not accept external samples.

Construction and Equipment Installation Near Completion

Authorities have nearly completed the tender process for building these labs and installing essential equipment. Construction will begin shortly, and officials aim to make all three labs operational within six months. The state is also upgrading two district public health laboratories in Eluru and Ongole. It will spend ₹6 crore on each to install modern testing equipment and enhance food safety capabilities.

Labs to Improve Response During Health Crises

Food Safety Joint Controller N. Poornachandra Rao confirmed that all developments align with FSSAI guidelines. He stressed the labs’ critical role in monitoring water quality during outbreaks of waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea. “Once these labs are functional, we won’t need to send samples to Hyderabad and wait days for results,” Rao said.

Source: Deccan Chronicle