News & Announcement
State Food Testing Laboratory Officially Inaugurated at Chuwatar, Singtam
Pakyong, March 03 (IPR): The State Food Testing Laboratory, established by the Health and Family Welfare Department under the Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), was formally inaugurated by Minister for Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH and Culture Department cum MLA, Mr GT Dhungel, in the presence of MLA cum Advisor for Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr TT Bhutia and Executive Director (CS) and Advisor for RCD and QA, FSSAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Satyen Kumar Panda, at Chuwatar, Singtam today.
The facility marks a major step forward in strengthening the State’s food safety system with advanced scientific testing and analysis of food samples, while ensuring compliance with safety standards to safeguard public health.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH and Culture Department-cum MLA, Mr G. T Dhungel, expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the departments in establishing advanced food safety facilities in the state. He highlighted that the high-end equipment has been procured from Singapore to ensure optimum performance in quality testing, further stating that only dedicated and trained officials should be deputed in the sector, as it demands commitment and technical expertise.
Further, Minister Mr GT Dhungel highlighted various growing opportunities in the state due to its organic status, while urging the officials to utilise the newly installed equipment with caution and precision to uphold the standards of food safety measures and quality control.
Additionally, Executive Director (CS) and Advisor for RCD and QA, FSSAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Satyen Kumar Panda, stated that the laboratory is equipped with modern testing facilities and that will ensure timely and accurate analysis of food products, while facilitating the issuance of FSSAI certifications recognised globally.
He outlined various future plans of action and stressed that the facility would also serve as an epicentre for the neighbouring states, further assuring assistance to enhance the food safety and quality in the state.
Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner, Mr Tshewang Gyachoo, IAS, provided a brief overview of the newly established facility, which has been supported by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He also informed that the 49th Central Advisory Committee Meeting on Food Safety was successfully convened in the state, marking an important step in strengthening collaborative efforts in the food regulation and public health domain. He highlighted that the laboratory comprises a State Food Testing Laboratory, Drug Testing Laboratory, and a Microbiology Laboratory, all equipped with advanced and high-precision equipment provided with the support of FSSAI.
Further, Secretary, Mr Tshewang Gyachoo stated that the facility has equipment such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems for quantitative analysis of food and drug samples; Gas Chromatography (GC) systems for detecting volatile compounds and pesticide residues; an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for heavy metal analysis; Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy for compound identification; and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace element detection at ultra-low concentrations, to enhance the accuracy and reliability of testing services available within the state. He added that it also comprises a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory, first in the state, that enables safe handling and analysis of pathogenic microorganisms associated with food- and water-borne diseases.
Further, he emphasised that the establishment of this laboratory shall strengthen the state’s preparedness in microbiological testing, ensuring food safety and drug quality control.
Prior to it, the dignitaries also took a thorough visit to the microbiology laboratory, while checking the equipment and enquiring about the technicalities of the machines.
The day also had the presence of Chairman, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Phurba Rinzing Sherpa; Advisor for AYUSH, Mr AK Ghatani; Director, FSSAAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Ms Sweety Behara, along with dignitaries and officials from Health and Welfare Departments, members from FSSAI and students from nursing college.
The facility marks a major step forward in strengthening the State’s food safety system with advanced scientific testing and analysis of food samples, while ensuring compliance with safety standards to safeguard public health.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH and Culture Department-cum MLA, Mr G. T Dhungel, expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the departments in establishing advanced food safety facilities in the state. He highlighted that the high-end equipment has been procured from Singapore to ensure optimum performance in quality testing, further stating that only dedicated and trained officials should be deputed in the sector, as it demands commitment and technical expertise.
Further, Minister Mr GT Dhungel highlighted various growing opportunities in the state due to its organic status, while urging the officials to utilise the newly installed equipment with caution and precision to uphold the standards of food safety measures and quality control.
Additionally, Executive Director (CS) and Advisor for RCD and QA, FSSAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Satyen Kumar Panda, stated that the laboratory is equipped with modern testing facilities and that will ensure timely and accurate analysis of food products, while facilitating the issuance of FSSAI certifications recognised globally.
He outlined various future plans of action and stressed that the facility would also serve as an epicentre for the neighbouring states, further assuring assistance to enhance the food safety and quality in the state.
Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner, Mr Tshewang Gyachoo, IAS, provided a brief overview of the newly established facility, which has been supported by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He also informed that the 49th Central Advisory Committee Meeting on Food Safety was successfully convened in the state, marking an important step in strengthening collaborative efforts in the food regulation and public health domain. He highlighted that the laboratory comprises a State Food Testing Laboratory, Drug Testing Laboratory, and a Microbiology Laboratory, all equipped with advanced and high-precision equipment provided with the support of FSSAI.
Further, Secretary, Mr Tshewang Gyachoo stated that the facility has equipment such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems for quantitative analysis of food and drug samples; Gas Chromatography (GC) systems for detecting volatile compounds and pesticide residues; an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for heavy metal analysis; Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy for compound identification; and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace element detection at ultra-low concentrations, to enhance the accuracy and reliability of testing services available within the state. He added that it also comprises a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory, first in the state, that enables safe handling and analysis of pathogenic microorganisms associated with food- and water-borne diseases.
Further, he emphasised that the establishment of this laboratory shall strengthen the state’s preparedness in microbiological testing, ensuring food safety and drug quality control.
Prior to it, the dignitaries also took a thorough visit to the microbiology laboratory, while checking the equipment and enquiring about the technicalities of the machines.
The day also had the presence of Chairman, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Phurba Rinzing Sherpa; Advisor for AYUSH, Mr AK Ghatani; Director, FSSAAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Ms Sweety Behara, along with dignitaries and officials from Health and Welfare Departments, members from FSSAI and students from nursing college.