By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 23: While Meghalaya battles alarming lead contamination in mothers and children and recurring mass food poisoning outbreaks, the State Food Testing Laboratory has upgraded its technology to cut testing times from an entire day to just ten minutes.
The upgrade at the Pasteur Hills facility comes as recent studies of nearly 1,900 mothers and children in the state revealed that 15% had detectable lead levels in their blood. Health officials identified certain cosmetics and aluminium utensils as primary sources of contamination.
The state is also struggling with frequent foodborne illnesses, including 197 poisoning cases in Sohiong last year and 53 cases in Puriang in 2022.
Inaugurating the new facilities on Monday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla launched two high-precision instruments: an Automated Water Analyser and a Gas Chromatograph (GC-FID). The new equipment allows for high-speed testing of fats and alcohol content, providing results in minutes.
“Entrepreneurs should not have to wait long or send samples outside the state, which increases both time and cost,” Shylla said. He also announced that a Rs 4.61 crore Research and Development (R&D) centre has been approved for the laboratory, with the tender process currently under way.
Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar noted that reliable testing is essential to support the state’s tourism and export sectors.
He also flagged concerns regarding chemical contamination in spring water sources, stressing the need for better sanitation and resource protection.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta M Kurbah added that recent mass poisoning incidents underline the urgent need for stricter hygiene and temperature control.
Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety (Technical) Dr Wadamika Lyngdoh warned that the state faces three major threats: microbial contamination, chemical residues, and physical contaminants. She stated that the laboratory’s upgraded capacity would act as a safeguard against food fraud and adulteration.
The new Automated Water Analyser will provide rapid water quality assessments across the state, while the GC-FID will ensure stricter quality control over organic compounds and alcohol volume testing.
