INDIA – The State Food Safety Laboratory in Nacharam, India, has launched four buses named ‘Food Safety on Wheels’, aimed at curbing food adulteration across the State by conducting food safety tests.

The four mobile food testing buses have been equipped with digital infrastructure and technology-based laboratory which was flagged off by State Health Minister T Harish Rao and Uppal MLA Subhash Reddy.

The bus will also have three staff members including one food inspector, attender and data entry personnel.

Complaints registered at the State Food Laboratory will be attended by the mobile food testing buses. According to Harish Rao, each bus costs Rs 60 lakh (USD 6000000) and a total of Rs 2.4 crore (USD 600,000) have been put in for the four food safety buses.

The Minister also inspected the labs of beverages, milk, oils, spices, sweets, ready-made food and other sections of the food safety laboratory in Nacharam. To satisfy his curiosity, he asked about the examination procedure and the manner in which adulteration takes place.

In addition, the Minister conducted a review meeting with the relevant officials to scrutinize food safety issues in the state.

“Necessary action will be taken against those who are into food adulteration. The government would extend all possible assistance in providing quality food items to the people,” he said.

During the review meeting, Harish directed the authorities to prepare and send monthly reports to the health department, according to The Hans India.

“The number of food inspectors has increased in the State. Soon a special task force will be set up at the State level for extensive inspection of food. In addition to the existing bus service at GHMC, one bus will be available in Warangal, Khammam and Nizamabad districts,” he informed.

Food adulteration will be detected in the respective districts and awareness programmes be conducted to alert the public about food adulteration through the mobile food safety buses.

“The task force along with food inspectors will make surprise visits to various food processing factories, hotels and other establishments involving food,” he added.

He said the task force would take appropriate action as soon as they receive complaints and urged consumers to raise alarm in case of any adulteration incident.  

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