India plans 100 new food testing labs by 2026

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced plans to set up 100 new food testing laboratories in India by the financial year 2025-26. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, which has a budget of Rs 503.47 crore for 205 projects aimed at improving food safety. Bittu made this announcement while inaugurating a food testing lab at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University. He emphasized the importance of food testing in ensuring that food products are safe and free from harmful substances. These labs will help meet the standards set by regulatory bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and international agencies. The establishment of these laboratories will benefit farmers and producers of various agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, rice, and shrimp. Bittu stated that the labs will support compliance with global food safety standards, ultimately leading to better export opportunities and higher incomes for farmers. Bittu also highlighted successes in the food processing sector in Punjab, including the approval of 24 cold chain projects worth Rs 553 crore and other agro-processing initiatives. Under the PMKSY scheme, a total of Rs 1,557 crore has been approved for 61 projects in Punjab, which aims to boost the local food processing industry.