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The SoFTeL scheme has six major components.
Jan 08, 2024

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme named, Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratory (SOFTeL) System in the country, including provision of Mobile Food Testing Labs.

Indian Government is providing financial assistance for setting up food testing laboratories to ensure compliance with domestic and international standards for food products. A network of food testing and analysis laboratories is required to support the surveillance system of the food regulator and monitor the level of contaminants, additives, and pesticide residues in food items. The scheme offers grants-in-aid of 100% for government organisations and 50-70% for private organisations/entities. There is no ceiling to financial assistance when the ministry establishes or sponsors such projects. The proposals received for financial assistance are examined by a Techno Committee and then placed before a Project Approval Committee for consideration and approval. The grants will be provided on a case-to-case basis with the approval of competent authority. The implementation procedure involves presenting proposals before the Technical Committee and then the Project Approval Committee.

FSSAI's scheme focuses on strengthening state food labs, capacity building of food analysts, and incentivising states to use existing testing facilities. It aims to reduce the burden on government labs and involve schools and colleges in ensuring safe and wholesome food. The scheme aims to generate awareness among school and college-going youth through exposure to food testing in their internal labs. FSSAI took a 360-degree view of the food testing ecosystem in India. The SoFTeL scheme has six major components as follows:

1.Strengthening of State Food Testing Labs

The objective of the scheme is to strengthen food testing laboratories across states. A total of 45 labs are proposed to be equipped with state-of-the-art instruments. The objective is to enable these labs to analyse regulatory and surveillance samples quickly, test food safety parameters, reduce sample analysis time, ensure compliance with food standards, achieve accreditation within 2 years, and become a resource for training and facility upgradation. The scheme also aims to introduce an online laboratory data management system.

2.Strengthening of Referral Food Testing Labs

Strengthening of referral food testing laboratories will enable them to conduct referral and appeal tests by leveraging existing laboratories of various established laboratories in the government/public sector to ensure compliance with the FSSR. It is proposed to develop a world-class referral laboratory with high-quality testing equipment. It works within the framework of FSSR. As per FSSR, one-time financial assistance will be provided for up to one or two major equipment facilities at a maximum of Rs 3 billion.

3.Support for Mobile Food Labs

The plan envisages setting up of mobile food testing stations (one in every 20 districts of the state and at least one in each state/UT) (total 62 locations). The district group for each mobile laboratory will be decided in consultation with the respective State/UT Governments.The mobile laboratory will be responsible for food safety monitoring and awareness functions in remote areas of the state, large public communities, schools, and consumer organisations, providing qualitative testing of common food products such as ghee, milk, khoya, sweets. An inspection is on the horizon.This provides an on-site test option to test for foreign particle contamination. Unapproved food colourings found in various foods such as edible oils, namkeen, spices, and ready-to-eat foods. FSC staff in the region prepares 15-day district calendar for each mobile laboratory in the state/UT. Mobile laboratories will be operated by the respective State Governments/UTs or their agencies/NGOs/Trusts/Society as determined by the States/UTs. Grahak Suvidha Kendras set up by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs can also be used for this purpose.

The mobile food testing laboratory is expected to provide consumers in remote and inland areas with easy access to testing facilities for common foreign substances in food products.

The 4,444 food testing laboratories are located in only 4,444 major cities, making it difficult to analyse fresh food samples from 4,444 small towns and villages. Mobile laboratories can also be used to transport samples collected from remote locations to the nearest food testing laboratory.

The mobile food labs will have quick adulteration detection facilities and rapid test equipment for food items of mass consumption like: • Milk; • Packaged Drinking Water; • Oil.

4.Capacity Building of Food Testing Laboratories Personnel:

Capacity development is an essential part of strengthening and modernising the food testing laboratory ecosystem in the country.

The ultimate goal of this activity is for all Government food testing laboratories to receive his NABL accreditation and achieve parity with the best laboratories in the country.

All state food testing and standards laboratories are eligible to participate in this programme.

In order to build a network of effective and qualified food analysts in the country, institutes designated by FSSAI are also encouraged to participate in capacity development programmes.This requires not only good testing facilities, but above all qualified and competent food testing personnel.

Therefore, an element of training and capacity development is needed as an integral part of strengthening and modernising the national food inspection agency system.

Food analysts and other laboratory personnel must be familiar with the latest analytical techniques and methods. Scientific and technical personnel who are required to undergo mandatory training in government food testing laboratories are also encouraged to obtain her NABL certification by providing support and cost of NABL certification fees.

5.Incentivising States to utilise the facilities available in FSSAI Notified Labs

Utilisation of this vast infrastructure in the enforcement activities would cut down delays and bring in transparency. States would be encouraged to undertake surveillance activities in specified food categories by using the test facilities of FSSAI notified labs. For this purpose, States/UT would be incentivised to meet the cost towards the testing charges by the FSSAI notified labs.

6.School Food & Hygiene Programme

The primary objective of establishing basic food testing facility in schools is to disseminate information about the basic understanding of the FSSR and general hygiene and safety practices and involve schools and college youth in our endeavour to ensure safe and wholesome food.

A state level competition can be organised focused on the basic aspects of personal hygiene, Basics of food safety and quick tests for detection of food adulteration.The schools who qualify in the competition can be selected for the support to be provided.

It is proposed to cover 500 schools/colleges across the country for establishing basic facilities at level-1 with a grant of Rs 3 lakh each and another 1000 schools/colleges to establish facilities for food testing at level-2 with a grant of Rs 1 lakh each over a period of three years.

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