The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is providing Grant-in-aid for setting up/upgradation of Food Testing Laboratories (FTL) with a view to ensure compliance of domestic/international standards on food products.
Central/State Government and its organizations/universities (including deemed universities) are eligible for the entire cost of laboratory equipment required for labs and 25%of the cost of technical civil works to house the equipment, furniture and the fixtures associated with the equipment for general areas.
33% for difficult areas (J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, North-Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Integrated Tribal Development Projects [ITDP] area).
All other implementing agencies/private sector organizations are eligible for grant-in-aid of 50% of cost of laboratory equipment and 25% of the cost of technical civil works to house the equipment, furniture and fixtures associated with the equipment for general areas and 70% of cost of lab equipment and 33% of technical civil works for difficult areas. The laboratories are encouraged to obtain NABL accreditation under this scheme.
The scheme is implemented based on the proposals received for setting up/up-gradation of FTL and also the availability of the funds.
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) grants accreditation for the competence of the laboratory as per international standard ISO/IEC 17025.
The laboratories which are accredited by NABL are having the quality system in place and are competent to carry out the food test under their scope of accreditation. Non-accredited Food Testing Laboratories may or may not be fully equipped to meet the requirements of food testing.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charan Das Mahant in a written reply to Lok Sabha questions.
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