New equipment worth Rs 1.91 crore to be installed in FDA labs in Nagpur and Mumbai

The Maharashtra government has begun an effort to equip the laboratories of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with new technology. The aim is to improve testing of the quality of food and medicines and to tighten the noose on adulterators. Under this, state-of-the-art equipment will also be installed in the FDA laboratory in Nagpur.

In the past few days, the FDA has acted against adulterators in Nagpur city and the rural areas in the manner of a campaign. However, the FDA has been under questioning after the issue of delays in testing samples was raised. The upgrade of the laboratories is likely to resolve this problem.

According to information received, the FDA Maharashtra State will purchase advanced equipment to upgrade the laboratories in Nagpur and Mumbai. The estimated cost is about Rs 1 crore 91 lakh 76,000. This will provide the laboratories in both cities with high-grade scientific instruments, HPLC columns and other items the laboratories need.

Officials said nine major types of equipment will be installed in the Nagpur laboratory. These include an HPLC system with a UV visual detector, a water purifier system and a heavy 20 kVA UPS with five hours of backup. A digital butyro refractometer will also be installed to test the purity of fat and oil in food items.

According to officials, the equipment will allow the quality of items to be tested closely. To keep the laboratory's work running smoothly, a 2-tonne sealed AC, an all-in-one personal computer, a multifunction printer-cum-scanner and GI furniture with granite tops will also be purchased. HPLC columns of different specifications will be acquired along with these. The work is expected to be done at the end of this month.

It was said that this strengthening of the laboratories will greatly increase the testing capacity of the FDA laboratories in Nagpur and Mumbai. This could help ordinary citizens get accurate reports quickly in matters concerning their health and safety.