Recognition and Accreditation of food laboratory, research institute and referral food laboratories

Food laboratory means any food laboratory or institute established by the Central or a State Government or any other agency and accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories or an equivalent accreditation agency and recognized by the Food Authority under section 43;

Section 43 of the act states the following:

(1) The Food Authority may notify food laboratories and research institutions accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories or any other accreditation agency for the purposes of carrying out analysis of samples by the Food Analysts under this Act.

(2) The Food Authority shall, establish or recognize by notification, one or more referral food laboratory or laboratories to carry out the functions entrusted to the referral food laboratory by this Act or any rules and regulations made thereunder.

(3) The Food Authority may frame regulations specifying–

a) The functions of food laboratory and referral food laboratory and the local area or areas within which such functions may be carried out;

b) The procedure for submission to the said laboratory of samples of articles of food for analysis or tests, the forms of the laboratory’s reports thereon and the fees payable in respect of such reports; and

c) Such other matters as may be necessary or expedient to enable the said laboratory to carry out its functions effectively.

Roles and responsibilities of these labs:

a) Not only analyze the food samples sent by any officer or authority authorized by the Food Authority but will also submit the certificate of the analysis to the concerned authority.

b) Carry out all relevant investigations in order to fix the standards for any article of food.

c) Carry out investigations as directed by the Food Authority in collaboration with other laboratories or Food Analysts in the various States or with any other food laboratories and institutes that the Food Authority may approve on its behalf for the purpose of standardizing the methods chosen for analysis.

d) Ensure that the laboratories follow the scientific protocol that has been laid down for handling/testing articles of food.

e) Maintain high standards of accuracy, reliability and credibility in the operations of their laboratory and ensure that they are achieving and maintaining the required levels of accreditation and reliability.

f) Lay down mechanisms that ensure that the personnel of the laboratories follow the highest professional standards and discipline.

g) Carry out any such conditions as the Food Authority may lay down for referral laboratories.

h) Have the capacity to organize professional training, workshops and seminars for Food Analysts, laboratory personnel in those States as specified by the Food Authority.