Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) the number of food testing laboratories in the country, State-wise;
(b) whether these food testing laboratories are equipped with modern facilities to check food adulteration;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the quantum of funds sanctioned and expenditure incurred on such laboratories during each of the last three years, State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): 232 Food Testing Laboratories in the country have been notified under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Out of these:
• 18 laboratories have been notified by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for the purpose of referral testing.
• 72 laboratories of which 10 are not functional. Out of remaining 62 state food laboratories, 9 have National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
• 142 NABL accredited laboratories notified by FSSAI for the purpose of primary testing.
Details of above food testing laboratories, State/UT-wise is at Annexure-I.
(b) & (c): 167 out of 232 food testing laboratories are NABL accredited and are equipped with necessary facilities required for checking food adulteration as per their NABL scope of accreditation.
Contd…….
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(d): A Central Sector Scheme for “Strengthening of Food Testing System in the Country including provision of Mobile Food Testing Labs” has been rolled out by FSSAI under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with an outlay of Rs. 481.95 Crore for the period from 2016-17 to 2018-19 to strengthen the food testing laboratories. The major components of the Scheme are :
• Strengthening of State Food Testing laboratories,
• Strengthening of Referral Food Testing laboratories ; and
• Establishment of Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) i.e. Mobile Food Testing Labs.
The quantum of funds sanctioned and expenditure incurred on strengthening of state food laboratories during 2016-17 and 2017-18, till date, is at Annexure-II.
Besides, a grant of Rs. 4 Crore has been sanctioned/released for strengthening of one referral laboratory in 2016-17 and Rs. 6 Crore has for strengthening of four referral laboratories in 2017-18, till date.
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