Patna: The mobile food testing laboratory that the food safety wing of the health department received around a month ago is still sitting idle, thanks to non-allotment of funds by the government.
The mobile food safety lab, christened "Food Safety on Wheels" reached the state capital on June 11. It has still not been rolled out.
It was supposed to go across the state capital to collect food samples and conduct on-spot test.
"The health department is yet to allot funds for registration of the vehicle, insurance cover and fuel charges, which amounts to around Rs 2 lakh. The department is supposed to release the funds soon after which we would be able to roll out the mobile lab which would be very beneficial for testing of the adulterants in the food products," said a senior official of the food safety wing of the health department.
"The lab is worth around Rs 40 lakh and it would conduct on-spot tests for checking adulteration in food products. It will conduct tests for common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil and other food items. A toll-free number would be released through which people can contact the mobile food testing lab's staff and it would visit people's house to conduct on-spot test. Residents can avail the service of the laboratory by paying a nominal charge of Rs 100-200 once it starts working in Patna," he added.
According to sources from the food safety wing, the lab will start visiting people's home once it is formally launched by the health department, the date of which has yet not been decided.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has allocated two mobile laboratories to the food safety wing.
The second lab will reach the state in three-four months. Five personnel, including a lab assistant, food analyst and technician, will be among the personnel in the lab.
The food safety wing of the health department has also sent separate proposals to the state government and FSSAI seeking funds to upgrade the infrastructure at the Combined Food and Drug Testing Laboratory, which is the lone food testing laboratory in the state.
