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Dr. Subhra Saikat Roy interacting with the officials after inaugurating the laboratory in Imphal on Tuesday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 30 (EMN): The first quality analysis laboratory, a food testing centre, in north-eastern region was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Imphal centre in Manipur.
The laboratory which is equipped with more than 50 advanced analytical instruments was constructed under the financial assistance from mission for integrated development of Horticulture department.
“With the opening of the laboratory, we can do quality analysis of more than 100 quality parameters like carbohydrates, proteins, fat, pesticide residues, microbial contamination and adulteration of foods,” said scientist (Horticulture) Dr. Subhra Saikat Roy.
“We’ll also be doing research works and extend training programmes on food quality analysis,” he added.
The laboratory has been established primarily for quality analysis of fresh and processed horticultural products besides cereals, pulses, oilseeds, milk, meat and fish, he said.
Dr. Roy expressed hope that the laboratory will play a great role in bringing food quality and safety not only in Manipur but in the entire Northeast region.
He also informed that they have applied to food safety authority of India for notifying the laboratory as a recognised food testing laboratory in Manipur.
Individuals can also avail the opportunity to undergo training programme on food quality analysis at the laboratory. Nominal charges are kept for the farmers and entrepreneurs which ranges from INR 100 to INR 1000.
The laboratory will play a crucial role while exporting organic products from the State and also check the food quality of the imported products.
When sought his comment about using the newly inaugurated laboratory as a food testing centre for the food safety unit of the state Health department, the designated officer Brojendra Khaba of the department (Food safety) said that they have appraised the matter to the higher authrotiy of the for consideration.
In June last year, the state authority sent the (fish) samples for testing outside the state after traces of formalin were found in the imported fishes due to absence of such testing centre in the region.