The ministry of food processing industries (MOFPI) is planning to set up 100 food testing laboratories across the country and upgrade the existing 327 ones it operates to meet international standards amid concerns that processed food exports from India?s are declining due to poor food quality and safety.
While the cost of setting up the laboratories by government universities will be fully borne by the ministry, private laboratories will be subsidised 75% of the cost. Based on testing capabilities these laboratories would be classified as national, regional, state and local laboratories. Each laboratory would be set up with a capital expenditure of Rs 10-20 crore, based on its classification.
?With India aiming to grab 1.5% or $150 billion of the global processed food sector pie, it is imperative to assure international buyers good quality. Thus, setting up food testing laboratories of the latest standards is one of the top priorities of the ministry,? Subhod Kant Sahai, minister of state for MOFPI told FE.
There is a huge gap in the standard of food testing laboratories in the country and the international ones. Though the national level laboratories are at par with the best in the world, the state level laboratories lack the necessary expertise and infrastructure, he added.
Of the 100 planned laboratories, 5 would be national level ones, 5 regional ones, 28 state laboratories and the remaining local laboratories. As per a feasibility report, the national and regional laboratories would be built on a space of 6,000 square feet.