GUWAHATI: The food and drugs testing laboratory under the Meghalaya directorate of health services (research) in Shillong is set to function as a fully-equipped facility by March next year.
As it is, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 9.45crore for upgrade of infrastructure and installation of sophisticated equipment at the laboratory set up on the premises of Pasteur Institute in the 1980s.
“The chemical section of the laboratory should be fully functional by the end of August this year once the high-end machines are placed. Thereafter, once we select the vendors and import and install the equipment, the microbiology section would be ready to meet all parameters set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” SN Sangma, joint commissioner, food safety, Meghalaya, told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
Shortage of equipment has been the major hurdle over the decades for effective function of the laboratory.
“Three highly sophisticated machines would be installed at the laboratory. The process of selection of vendors, import and installation of all equipment will take about three more months,” Sangma said.
The upgrade of the food safety facility assumes significance as dependence on the state public health laboratory in Guwahati, which caters to at least five Northeast states in regard to testing food samples, will lessen considerably besides having prompt access to test results.
“Besides we have also sent a proposal to the government to fill up seven to eight posts to adhere to all parameters even as manpower is not an issue. The food safety authorities are providing handholding support to our employees and this assistance will be continued in the long term,” he said.
Food Safety on Wheels
A year after the launch of the state’s first mobile food testing laboratory – Food Safety on Wheels – in Shillong, Meghalaya is set to have another facility in Tura.
“This will be the second such mobile laboratory and will cater to five districts in Garo Hills. We are currently recruiting manpower for it and very shortly will launch the facility in Tura,” Sangma said.
Asked about the assessment of the mobile unit in Shillong, he said that apart from testing samples on the spot, the facility has helped create food safety awareness among citizens, particularly among students and schools where mid-day meals are served.
“Besides, officials of the department have been able to train food handlers such as hoteliers, restaurateurs, chefs in various aspects of food hygiene and nutrition. This of course is apart from the routine checks and tests that are conducted on various food items,” he said.