Hyderabad: An ultra-modern microbiology lab, the first of its kind in the state, will soon enable testing of purity levels and adulteration in packaged foods and products, while also detecting pathogens and micro organisms. It will be housed at the State Food Laboratory, Nacharam.
The 4.5 crore facility, sanctioned by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), would utilise both imported and made in India equipment, including incubators, and sterilisers, to tackle adulteration across various foods ranging from butter and cheese to oil and pulses, besides combating water contamination.
Officials said that the modern lab would help in identifying organisms, assessing microbial numbers, and determining susceptibility. Previously, the state food department’s analysis was limited to determining only the presence of adulteration in food items.
The State Food Laboratory, where a dedicated block stands ready for the modern laboratory installation, currently processes 300 samples monthly, with approximately 80 to 90 samples identified as adulterated.
“The modern microbiology lab will commence operations in six months. Only packed food items and products like pickles, spices, cool drinks, and water bottles will be tested at the lab as they have to be analysed in sterile conditions, and the results will come out in a week,” a senior State Food Laboratory official said.
In fact, the state’s performance in the testing category under FSSAI’s Index for 2023-24 was below par as it secured 18 out of 36 marks. The assessment took into account factors such as the analysis of samples using high-end equipment, the quantity of state food testing labs, the availability of food safety on wheels, and basic food testing laboratories.