Maharashtra Government is going to introduce Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL), aimed at enabling Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its mandate, the one relating to regulating the food chain eco system. The mobile laboratory would be a multipurpose vehicle, sort of a food truck that would work in a controlled atmosphere. FDA said the mobile van would work as a platform for vetting food items, and also work to provide food safety training to various stakeholders in the field. Basically its work is going to centre around 3 key activities, testing, simple tests for common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil and items of food for daily consumption.

 

Apart from that, the MFTL is also going to focus on creating awareness relating to food safety, hygiene and most importantly promoting healthy eating habits amongst citizens. Further, it is also going to train food-handlers, supervisors working in food businesses, particularly those engaged in petty food industry, said the officials. Each of the district is going to get one MFTL, staring with rolling out in select few cities and then expanding the footprint as the funds are assigned. The mobile laboratories are part of Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories (SoFTeL) and is covered under Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Rules notified in 2006 and the scheme is in pipeline since 2016-17. The rollout of mobile food laboratories is already delayed, said the FDA note, and hence there is pressing urgency against backdrop of rise in complaints about adulteration of food items. Through the mobile laboratory, the FDA is going to mass outreach, so that masses can be empowered to detect adulteration on their own. The mobile laboratory would be equipped with a insulated container, the same would be fabricated as per the local requirement to meet the laid down condition inside the unit.

 

Also, the insulated container body would enable transportation of perishable materials at low temperature in clean and hygienic conditions. As per the specifications, the mobile laboratory exterior would have a glass window (50"x18") for provision of fitting of display TV set, plus for keeping the books relating to educating citizens as to common adulterants and the scientific material on the matter. Also, a scroller on the outside would continuously beam information to viewers when the laboratory is parked. The officials added that apart from that the mobile laboratory is also going to have rapid milk screening apparatus for analysis milk samples, digital balance, digital multiparameter (hand held meter-pH conductivity, TDS and Temperature), hot plate, portable autoclave, BOD Incubator, and other technical equipments.