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Gujarat to Launch Rs 50 Crore High-Tech Food & Drug Testing Lab in Surat

The Gujarat government is establishing a new, advanced Food and Drug Laboratory in Surat at a cost of Rs 50 crore to enhance testing capabilities. The six-storey facility will feature specialised labs for microbiology, chemical, and cosmetic testing of food and medicines. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya stated this initiative is part of expanding the state's lab network to ensure pure food and quality medicines for citizens. The new labs, including others planned for Ahmedabad and Junagadh, aim to strengthen the campaign against adulteration and safeguard public health.

Key Points: Gujarat's New Rs 50 Crore Food & Drug Lab in Surat

  • Rs 50 crore advanced lab in Surat
  • Part of expanded state lab network
  • Aims to speed up testing and reduce Vadodara lab load
  • Will test food, medicines, and cosmetics
  • New labs also planned for Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Junagadh, Valsad
2 min read

Gujarat to strengthen food and drug testing with new high-tech lab in Surat

Gujarat govt to set up a Rs 50 crore advanced Food and Drug Laboratory in Surat to strengthen testing, combat adulteration, and ensure public health safety.

"With the operationalisation of these laboratories, the state's campaign against adulteration will be strengthened, and the health of citizens will be safeguarded. - Praful Pansheriya"

Surat/Gandhinagar, March 12 The Gujarat government is expanding its network of laboratories across the state to ensure citizens have access to pure food and quality medicines, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said in the state Assembly on Thursday.

Speaking in response to a query regarding the food and drug laboratories, Pansheriya added that a new advanced Food and Drug Laboratory is being established in Surat.

"To ensure that citizens receive pure food and quality medicines, Gujarat is expanding the network of laboratories across the state. In this context, the process of setting up a new Food and Drug Laboratory in Surat, equipped with advanced facilities, is currently underway," he said.

The laboratory, being built at a total cost of Rs 50 crore, has received an allocation of Rs 17 crore in the current state budget.

A 2,500 square metre plot has been earmarked for the project, and the building plans have already been finalised.

The six-storey facility will feature a two-level basement parking area and specialised laboratories on each floor for microbiology, chemical, and cosmetic testing of food and medicines.

Modern equipment will be installed to support testing operations, along with extensive parking and registration facilities.

Pansheriya added that administrative approval has also been granted to establish new laboratories in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Junagadh, and Valsad.

He emphasised that these new facilities will help reduce the workload on the Central Laboratory in Vadodara and enable faster testing of samples.

"With the operationalisation of these laboratories, the state's campaign against adulteration will be strengthened, and the health of citizens will be safeguarded," the Minister said.

The initiative is part of the Gujarat government's wider effort to enhance food safety and ensure medicines meet quality standards, addressing growing concerns over public health and consumer protection.

The aim is also in view of previous cases of adulteration in parts of the state.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good news for public health. 50 crores is a significant investment. I just hope the focus is on regular, surprise checks at local markets and not just big companies. The common man suffers the most from adulteration.
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Aman W
As someone from Surat, this is fantastic! Our city is growing fast and we need such infrastructure. Faster testing means quicker action against those selling fake medicines. Jai Gujarat! 🙏
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Sarah B
While the initiative is commendable, I hope they also invest in training and hiring qualified scientists and technicians. A lab is only as good as the people running it. Quality control starts with quality staff.
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Karthik V
Reducing the load on Vadodara's central lab is crucial. The delays in getting test reports sometimes make the whole exercise pointless. Hope these new labs in Ahmedabad, Mehsana etc. are operational soon.
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Nikhil C
A six-storey lab with basement parking sounds impressive. But the real test will be transparency. Will the test results be made public? Will there be a helpline for citizens to report suspicious products? The devil is in the details.

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