Haryana to deploy 28 mobile food testing labs in NCR dists

Chandigarh: In a major push to strengthen food and drug safety systems, the Haryana govt has approved Rs 53.21 crore for upgrading regulatory infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the deployment of 28 Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) vans and modernisation of the District Food Laboratory at Karnal.Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr Sumita Misra, said on Sunday that the initiative marked a significant step towards ensuring faster, scientific and accessible food testing services for citizens.
The District Food Testing Laboratory at Karnal underwent comprehensive renovation with Rs 90.29 lakh from the State Budget, and an additional Rs 50 lakh grant-in-aid from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Further strengthening its capabilities, 47 modern laboratory equipment items worth Rs 4.63 crore are being procured through Haryana Medical Services Corporation Limited (HMSCL), with the tender process in its final stage. In addition, the Karnal laboratory was upgraded with a dedicated Microbiology Section at a cost of Rs 3.96 crore funded by FSSAI, Dr Misra added.She further informed that the establishment of a Microbiology Lab in Chandigarh, funded by NCRPB, New Delhi, worth Rs 4.44 crore is underway and 80 percent complete, and is expected to become operational by March 2026. Renovation work of the Food Lab Chandigarh with a Central-State share grant of Rs 10.45 crore was completed, and the laboratory was upgraded with 3 high-end equipment items.Haryana currently has 2 notified food testing laboratories at Chandigarh and Karnal, both NABL-accredited and recognised by FSSAI under Section 43(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Recognising that milk and dairy products form a major component of the state's diet — and that Haryana is a leading hub for sportspersons — Dr Misra said 8 state-of-the-art food testing laboratories will be established in phases to ensure high-quality food standards across the state. Dr Misra further informed that to promote a hygienic street food culture, 4 cities, namely Ambala, Karnal, Hisar and Gurugram, were selected for Clean Street Food Hubs. In Ambala, a 60-shop Street Food Hub is being developed at Gandhi Ground, Ambala Cantt, and is expected to be completed by February 2026. Hisar completed around 60 percent of the work and aimed to finish the project by the end of the current financial year. In Karnal, land near the Western Yamuna Canal at Vishwakarma Chowk was identified and the Detailed Project Report approved, with completion targeted for 2026–27. In Gurugram, the project is at the tendering stage.