India Strengthens Food Safety with Enhanced Testing Infrastructure
The Indian government is taking significant strides towards bolstering food safety by enhancing its network of food testing laboratories. Under the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) scheme, financial assistance is being provided to establish NABL-accredited food testing labs, which are crucial for ensuring compliance and quality in the food testing ecosystem.
This initiative is set to bridge quality gaps within the food sector by expanding laboratory infrastructure and improving access to reliable analytical services. The result will be quicker testing turnaround times and more accessible services for food businesses, exporters, and enforcement agencies. This enhancement will lead to faster certifications and strengthened compliance with regulations, particularly beneficial for Indian food products in both domestic markets and international trade.
International Recognition and Compliance
The benefits of NABL accreditation for food testing labs are pivotal in ensuring international recognition for testing results. Laboratories accredited by NABL are recognized under the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA). This accreditation builds trust in the reliability and competence of test results, ensuring compliance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.
Further, the scheme aims to reduce testing duplications and technical barriers for exporters, resulting in cost and time savings for businesses through quicker approvals and reduced retesting. Ultimately, this initiative is designed to enhance market access for both domestically produced and exported food products.
Transforming Export Compliance
The modernization of food testing facilities and the mandatory use of NABL-accredited laboratories for processed food exports have led to measurable improvements in export compliance. Various sectors, including fruits, vegetables, spices, and marine products, have reported a drop in rejection rates at international borders, attributed to improved testing measures that comply with residue limits and microbiological standards.
Recent grants have enabled laboratories such as those at NIFTEM-Kundli to adopt advanced analytical capabilities, expanding their testing abilities to include emerging contaminants and food safety parameters that align with global standards. This has also enhanced pre-export screening, minimizing non-compliance risks and facilitating smoother access for Indian products in global markets.
A Hub for Food Safety Excellence
NIFTEMs, including those in Kundli and Thanjavur, are emerging as Centers of Excellence, integrating research, education, and industry collaboration. They focus on standardizing practices through training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and food safety management systems, which benefit entrepreneurs and food business operators alike.
The institutes offer specialized training, skill development programs, and hands-on exposure to laboratory equipment while ensuring alignment with food safety regulations. They also play a significant role in technology transfer and harmonizing practices, directly supporting India’s efforts to enhance food safety.
Additionally, NIFTEM-Thanjavur houses the Centre of Excellence in Non-Thermal Processing, unique in Asia, which employs innovative methods to enhance food safety, shelf life, and nutritional value. Through delivering high-quality testing services, NIFTEMs aid in paving the way for a robust and globally competitive food safety ecosystem in India.
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