The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially designated two new laboratories as Referral Food Laboratories, expanding its network of authorized facilities for food sample analysis. This amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is effective from its publication in the Official Gazette.
The new laboratories are:
- Analytical Testing Laboratory, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Centre of Excellence for Research and Analysis of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
These institutions will now function as referral food laboratories across India, operating according to their accredited scopes. This move enhances the country’s food testing infrastructure and strengthens FSSAI’s ability to ensure the safety and quality of food products.