Call for food testing labs in dist to check adulteration

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 2

Though efforts are being made to catch adulteration in food, many experts, especially traders feel that there is a need for a food testing laboratory in the holy city to ensure food safety.

Many feel that in absence of a proper food testing lab, the food processing unit persons have to travel long to get their samples tested, making it expensive as well a time consuming process. There is lack of awareness about food testing among units and sometimes the cost of the test is beyond a small scale unit. Recently, a meet was organised at local Khalsa College on food processing nucleus. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, honorary secretary, Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC), had stressed about the food safety as a growing concern amongst general public these days.

Rakesh Thukral, state president, Food Processing Industries Association, said, “There are 40 food processing units. Sometimes, a single unit has to send their sample to be checked twice a month. One has to travel all the way to Chandigarh for the test. It would have been easier if the facility is provided here. Moreover, there is a need for overall focus on food processing,” he added.

Gunbir Singh, president, Dilbir foundation, said, “I believe that creation of a fully equipped food processing nucleus is the need of the hour in this region. It would have a force multiplier effect on farm economy, boost industry, add value to farm produce and thus provide succour to the marginalised farmers of the area.”

“Amritsar has good quality road, rail and air network. Its unique geographical location makes it accessible to Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, a lab here would be a great idea, he added.

Jagmohan Singh Nagi, Managing director, Kulwant Nutritions, which has been supplying products to major market players, including Nestle among others, said, “There are many small scale processing units, which have no idea about the process and the cost of the getting samples checked is beyond their reach. There is a need for the awareness in the city many traditional food businesses are functioning without knowledge of test.”