Pune FDA lab tests 1,456 food samples in 2025-26, more than double previous year's 659

Pune, November 7, 2026: The Pune laboratory of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 1,456 food samples in the financial year 2025-26. The figure for 2024-25 was 659 samples, meaning testing has more than doubled. Monitoring of food items has been stepped up ahead of Diwali, as demand for sweets, dairy products and other food items rises at this time.

In 2025-26 the lab tested 797 more samples. Samples of sweets, dairy products, edible oils, ghee, spices and other food items are being tested so that food quality is kept under watch and food safety standards are followed.

According to the Maharashtra State Public Health Laboratory, three changes are behind the rise in testing. First, a change in the process of testing samples. Second, testing of similar samples in batches. Third, an increase in equipment and glassware in the lab.

Earlier, lab staff generally worked on one sample at a time. Under the new method, samples of the same category are grouped into a batch and tested together. The work of the lab's 12 to 13 chemists has also been divided so that similar samples can be tested together. This has cut the time taken for each test.

Testing in batches requires equipment that can handle several samples at once. Earlier, the lab had only a limited number of flasks, measuring vessels, funnels and other glassware. More sets have now been received, allowing staff to handle more samples at the same time.

Lab technicians said different kinds of tests can also run side by side. For instance, while one sample is being tested for protein, another can be tested for fat content. Working in parallel in this way has raised the overall pace of work, and tests take less time to complete.

Madhukar Dhum, Deputy Director of the Maharashtra State Public Health Laboratory, said the lab is under considerable pressure because a large number of samples arrive for testing every year. Test reports have to be submitted within a fixed time limit, so improving the testing process was necessary.

Dhum said, "This year the number of samples has more than doubled, yet getting additional equipment and adopting batch testing has helped us increase the pace of testing."

He also said FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had given guidance to improve the lab's functioning and strengthen the sample-testing process.