The food laboratory is the first of its kind venture under public private partnership; it is equipped with the latest technology
KRC TIMES Desk
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that there should be strict implementation of food safety laws to ensure safe and wholesome food to people.
He said this while inaugurating the first ever state-of-the-art National Food Laboratory-Delhi, NCR of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at Ghaziabad, near Delhi yesterday.
The National Food Laboratory (NFL), Delhi, NCR, former Food Research & Standardized Laboratory (FRSL, Ghaziabad) is one of the two premier referral laboratories under the direct administrative control of FSSAI. NFL-Delhi, NCR, renovated and operationalized under a unique Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model is the first of its kind venture in the food sector.
The National Food Laboratory (NFL), Delhi, NCR, former Food Research & Standardized Laboratory (FRSL, Ghaziabad) is one of the two premier referral laboratories under the direct administrative control of FSSAI.
NFL-Delhi, NCR, renovated and operationalized under a unique Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model is the first of its kind venture in the food sector.
“We not only have to provide right food, but also ensure that there is strict implementation of laws and the compliance of standards to assure that citizens have safe and wholesome food,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone of the FSSAI Tower along with the Minister of State Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
Speaking at the inaugural event that also marked the 13th anniversary of the Food Authority since the Food Safety and Standards Act came into effect in 2006, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that health has now become one of the top priorities of this government.
“This could be gauged from the fact that there is now a network of food testing laboratories established in the country and recognized by FSSAI. Such laboratories have increased to 261 as of now from 138 during the year 2014,” he elaborated.
Speaking about the focus of the government on health, he said that Ayushman Bharat Yojana is benefitting millions since its launch last year. “The scheme ensures that people don’t fall below poverty line due to catastrophic hospitalization,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said. He added that with 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres coming up by the year 2022, quality healthcare will reach every doorstep in the country.
The FSSAI Tower situated at NFL-Delhi, NCR, has been envisaged to accommodate not only additional manpower but also host visiting faculty and trainee officers during training and conferences.
Other facilities include a cafeteria, day-care centre, fitness centre, conference hall and training centre. This eight-floor tower with adequate parking facilities shall further augment the capabilities of FSSAI and its National Food Laboratory.
