In a landmark move to strengthen food safety and public health, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Food Testing Laboratory and Centre for Research in Hayatabad, Peshawar. The facility is designed to revolutionize food quality control, support agricultural exports, and restore consumer trust.
Advanced Testing Capabilities
Equipped with cutting-edge machinery, the lab can analyze over 1,500 parameters across 100+ food items, including:
- Microbiological contaminants like salmonella, listeria, and E. coli
- Chemical adulterants such as aflatoxins and formalin
- Heavy metals in water and beverages
- Nutritional profiling for fat, protein, moisture, and caloric value
- Halal certification and meat speciation to detect non-permissible sources
Infrastructure and Integration
The facility houses eight specialized sub-laboratories under one roof and is integrated with a Management Information System (MIS) and digital traceability tools. Over 20 Food Authority offices across KP will serve as sample collection points, ensuring efficient and transparent testing.
Export Compliance and Public Access
By meeting international ISO standards, the lab enhances Pakistan’s ability to comply with global food safety benchmarks—especially vital for agricultural exports. Testing services will be offered at subsidized rates, making them accessible to both public institutions and private producers.
Government Commitment
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur praised the timely completion of the project, calling it a “game-changer for food safety in KP.” He emphasized that only food items approved by this lab will be allowed for sale, and warned that food adulteration is a serious crime with zero tolerance.
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