Role of Referral Food Laboratories Recognized by FSSAI

 

Food Authority has recognized some more laboratories under section 43 (2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and they will now function as Referral Food Laboratories and will carry out testing according to their scope and will also be entrusted with other functions by Food Authority.  Besides testing the food articles these Referral Food Laboratories also perform other functions that are listed below.

Referral Food Laboratories:

a.) Not only analyse the food samples sent by any officer or authority authorized by the Food Authority but will also submit the certificate of the analysis to the concerned authority.

b.) Carry out all relevant investigations in order to fix the standards for any article of food.

c.) Carry out investigations as directed by the Food Authority in collaboration with other laboratories or Food Analysts in the various States or with any other food laboratories and institutes that the Food Authority may approve on its behalf for the purpose of  standardising  the methods chosen for analysis.

d.) Ensure that the laboratories follow the scientific protocol that has been laid down for handling/testing articles of food.

e.) Maintain high standards of accuracy, reliability and credibility in the operations of their laboratory and ensure that they are achieving and maintaining the required levels of accreditation and reliability.

f.) Lay down mechanisms that ensure that the personnel of the laboratories follow the highest professional standards and discipline.

g.) Carry out any such conditions as the Food Authority may lay down for referral laboratories.

h.) Have the capacity to organize professional training, workshops and seminars  for Food Analysts, laboratory personnel in those States as specified by the Food Authority. 

Recently, the food authority has added some more laboratories for the purpose of testing of food articles. 

List of Referral Laboratories and their Scope for Testing:

1. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research

           Hessaraghatta Lake Post Bangalore – 560089

This research laboratory:

 i.) Tests and analyses pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables, cereals, pulses, water and spices (especially curry leaves).

ii.) Carries out nutritional, proximate and microbiological analysis of fresh as well as processed foods.

2. Indian Institute of Vegetable Research

           Post Bag No.01 Jakhani (Shahanshapur) Varanasi – 221305

 This research laboratory analyses vegetables for the following:

 i.) Pesticide residue

ii.) Heavy metals

iii.) Microbiological contaminants

iv.) Mycotoxins

v.) Antibiotics

vi.) Disinfectants

vii.) Colouring Agents

viii.) Adulterants

ix.) Food Additives

x.) Phtohaemagglutinin

xi.) Allergens

3. Quality Evaluation Laboratory

           Spices Board Palarivattom P.O Kochi – 682025 

This laboratory tests and analyses spices for the following:

 i.) Chemical contaminants like pesticide residues, heavy metals, illegal dyes and any other chemical contaminant found

ii.) Mycotoxins like aflatoxin, ochratoxin etc.

iii.)  Microbial contaminants

iv.) Physical contaminants  and adulterants

4. Quality Evaluation Laboratory

           Spices Board Chuttugunta Center

           GT Road Guntur – 522004

 This research laboratory tests and analyses spices for the following:

 i.) Chemical contaminants like pesticide residues, heavy metals, illegal dyes and any other chemical contaminant found

ii.) Mycotoxins like Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin etc.

iii.) Microbial contaminants

iv.) Physical contaminants  and adulterants

5. Quality Evaluation laboratory

           Spices Board Plot No. R-11, Sipcot Industrial Complex

           Gummidipoondi Thiruvallur Dt. Chennai – 601201

 This research laboratory tests and analyses spices for the following:

 i.) Chemical contaminants like pesticide residues, heavy metals, illegal dyes and any other chemical contaminant found

ii.) Mycotoxins like aflatoxin, ochratoxin etc.

iii.) Microbial contaminants

iv.) Physical contaminants  and adulterants

6. Quality Evaluation Laboratory

           Spices Board

           First Floor, Banking Complex II

           Sector19A, Vashi

           Navi Mumbai – 400703

 This research laboratory tests and analyses spices for the following:

 i.) Chemical contaminants like pesticide residues, heavy metals, illegal dyes and any other chemical contaminant found

ii.) Mycotoxins like aflatoxin, ochratoxin etc.

iii.) Microbial contaminants

iv.) Physical contaminants  and adulterants

7. Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock in Food (CALF)

           National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

           Anand Gujarat – 388001

 This laboratory tests and makes analysis of milk and milk products for:

 i.) Pesticides

ii.) Antibiotics and veterinary drugs

iii.) Microbiological contaminants

iv.) Mycotoxins

v.) Heavy metals

vi.) PAHs

vii.) Dioxin

viii.) Other emerging contaminants