Mobile food testing laboratories launched

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Minister Atif Khan on Wednesday inaugurated mobile food testing laboratories for seven divisional headquarters of the province during a ceremony held at the food department.

While addressing the inaugural event, the minister said the mobile food testing laboratories will help the K-P government in ensuring provision of safe and healthy food to the people in a more efficient manner.

He added that the laboratories, which will initially work at divisional level, will be extended to the district level in the next phase.

The event was attended by secretary food Mushtaq Ahmad, director general food safety authority Shah Rukh Ali Khan, and country director Nutrition International Dr Shabina Raza.

The minister maintained that such steps show the commitment of government towards the welfare of the general public, adding that the food testing laboratories are fitted with high-tech equipment, which covers a range of food tests.

He said the laboratories are capable of on-the-spot testing of various food items, including milk, flour, edible oil, ghee, and water.

To maintain transparency, he said that a monitoring mechanism has also been put in place for the laboratories. Results of the food samples collected during inspection will also be sent to the database, thus making both the vendor and the officials accountable.

Atif Khan said the mobile food testing laboratories will help the officials of the food safety authority in checking food samples in the market, thus improving the overall quality of the food items.

He said with quality food in the market, the burden on the health sector will reduce and that special directives have been issued to relevant officials for ensuring provision of safe and quality food on the premises of schools, colleges and other education institutions.

Besides this, they are also instructed to inspect canteens of various public and private hospitals. The provincial minister also appreciated Food Safety Authority on the timely completion and launching of laboratories.

He said fast track progress is being made to digitize the food department, which will promote transparency in the system.

Secretary food Mushtaq Ahmad said a special work plan will be formulated for the laboratories, in which food samples will be tested in various districts free of cost.

The minister added that the general public can also bring food samples to the food laboratories for testing. He stressed upon media to play its role in creating awareness among the masses.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2022.