First mobile food testing lab launched

The country’s first mobile food safety laboratory was launched here yesterday aiming to ensure food safety through instant testing of food items and protect public health.

The mobile food testing lab was introduced under ‘The Institutionalisation of Food Safety in Bangladesh for Safer Food Project, implemented by of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the Food Ministry. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated the lab at a function held at a city hotel.

The mobile laboratory will provide unique professional lab services to public and play a key role in detecting adulterated food on the spot for ensuring safe food for the countrymen.

Within only one or two minutes, the laboratory will show results about the quality of the products although some tests may take as long as one hour.

Officials say many tests, including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides at harmful level, antibiotic residue, e-coli, salmonella, formaldehyde, formalin and carbide, will be performed straightway.

Speaking at the function as the chief guest, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said as per Awami League election manifesto, the government is committed to ensure safe food for the country’s all the people.

Noting that the government has already enacted the Food Safety Act-2013, he said if awareness on food safety could not be created at all levels, it will be quite impossible to ensure safe food for all.

Stressing the need for introducing mobile testing lab at upazila level, the food minister said the first mobile lab has created a new horizon in the country’s food safety campaign.

About Tk 70 lakh is required to build a mobile testing lab, he said, adding “A Taka 50 crore project is enough to launch the mobile testing lab at district level”.

Asking the authorities concerned to take such a project to introduce mobile testing lab services at district level, Majumder said his ministry will provide all-out cooperation in this regard.

Food Secretary Shahabuddin Ahmad said the introduction of the mobile food safety laboratory is an outstanding initiative in the food safety campaign.

“I do believe this mobile lab will play an important role in ensuring food safety at all levels,” he added.

First mobile food testing lab launched

The countrys first mobile food safety laboratory was launched here yesterday aiming to ensure food safety through instant testing of food items and protect public health. The mobile food testing lab was introduced under The Institutionalisation of Food Safety in Bangladesh for Safer Food Project, implemented by of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the Food Ministry. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated the lab at a function held at a city hotel. The mobile laboratory will provide unique professional lab services to public and play a key role in detecting adulterated food on the spot for ensuring safe food for the countrymen. Within only one or two minutes, the laboratory will show results about the quality of the products although some tests may take as long as one hour. Officials say many tests, including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides at harmful level, antibiotic residue, e-coli, salmonella, formaldehyde, formalin and carbide, will be performed straightway. Speaking at the function as the chief guest, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said as per Awami League election manifesto, the government is committed to ensure safe food for the countrys all the people. Noting that the government has already enacted the Food Safety Act-2013, he said if awareness on food safety could not be created at all levels, it will be quite impossible to ensure safe food for all. Stressing the need for introducing mobile testing lab at upazila level, the food minister said the first mobile lab has created a new horizon in the countrys food safety campaign. About Tk 70 lakh is required to build a mobile testing lab, he said, adding A Taka 50 crore project is enough to launch the mobile testing lab at district level. Asking the authorities concerned to take such a project to introduce mobile testing lab services at district level, Majumder said his ministry will provide all-out cooperation in this regard. Food Secretary Shahabuddin Ahmad said the introduction of the mobile food safety laboratory is an outstanding initiative in the food safety campaign. I do believe this mobile lab will play an important role in ensuring food safety at all levels, he added.