Question : Upgradation of Laboratories

(a) whether the Government has directed the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to upgrade its laboratories across the country on priority basis and also directed the organization to arrange facilities for testing more products, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether BIS has set any time frame to upgrade its laboratories, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government has formulated any standards regarding street food and products used in daily life, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government is now considering to develop or revise standards in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER FOR
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) & (b) : Madam, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has taken up modernization and up-gradation of its laboratories. A plan has accordingly been chalked out which includes;

i) Replacement of existing old/obsolete test equipment
ii) Up-gradation of test facilities
iii) Setting up laboratories for new products.

The time frame for completion of this plan is December, 2016.

(c) : The Standards for food products have been prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 and Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues ) Regulation, 2011. These standards are applicable to Street Food also.

Hygienic and Sanitary practices are prescribed in Part V of Schedule 4 under the Food Safety Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations for Food Business Operators engaged in catering/Food service establishments.

(d) : The development of Standards is a continuous process. The Indian Standards are reviewed every five years or whenever any comments are received on these standards. Based on the review, the Standards are revised, if so required.

(e) : During 2014-15, five new Standards have been published for the food products. Also, during this period, twelve food standards have been revised.
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