Report

Hyderabad will host Telangana’s first ultra-modern microbiology lab, designed to test the purity of packaged foods, detect adulteration, and identify pathogens and microorganisms. Located at the State Food Laboratory in Nacharam, this 4.5 crore facility, approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), will use both imported and locally sourced equipment, including incubators and sterilizers.

Tackling Food Adulteration and Water Contamination

The lab will address food adulteration in items like butter, cheese, oil, and pulses, and will also combat water contamination. It will go beyond detecting adulteration by assessing microbial numbers and evaluating organism susceptibility. Previously, the state food department could only detect adulteration. With the new microbiology lab, the department will significantly expand its capabilities. Currently, the department processes around 300 samples monthly, finding 80-90 adulterated samples.

Testing and Results Timeline

The new microbiology lab is expected to begin operations in six months. It will primarily focus on testing packed food items like pickles, spices, soft drinks, and bottled water, which require sterile conditions for accurate results. Test results will be available within a week, according to a senior official at the State Food Laboratory.

Source: The Times of India