Bathinda, March 22, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant step toward ensuring food quality and safety, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Railways, Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Food Testing Laboratory at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, on Saturday.
The laboratory, established under the Central Quality Control/Food Testing Laboratories Scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), is designed to certify food items, detect adulteration, and strengthen the food processing ecosystem.
Mr. Bittu said the inauguration of the Food Testing Laboratory at MRSPTU marks a milestone in Punjab’s food processing journey, offering high-end testing facilities and supporting a healthier, safer food ecosystem for consumers and stakeholders alike.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shri Ranjit Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary (MoFPI); Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal, Vice Chancellor of MRSPTU; Dr. Gurinder Pal Singh Brar, Registrar; Dr. Sanjiv Aggarwal, Campus Director; and Dr. Kawaljit Singh Sandhu, Head of Food Science and Technology, along with deans, directors, faculty, and staff of the university.
Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal, Vice Chancellor, emphasized that the lab is equipped with advanced instruments, including Gas Chromatography, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. These tools will enable precise analysis of pesticides, heavy metals, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids in raw and processed foods.
Dr. Kawaljit Singh Sandhu highlighted that the facility aligns with Punjab’s reputation as the “food bowl of India” and will empower farmers, entrepreneurs, and food processing industries to meet domestic and global standards. The lab’s strategic location in Bathinda eliminates the need to transport samples to distant testing centers, saving time and resources.
“With concerns about food adulteration on the rise, this laboratory will ensure that food products meet stringent quality and safety standards, safeguarding public health. Farmers and food processors will now have access to world-class testing facilities at nominal fees, enabling them to compete in international markets,” said Dr. Sandhu.
The Bathinda region, with its favorable government policies and robust agricultural base, is poised for growth in the food processing sector. The laboratory will also help Indian food industries comply with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines and other international benchmarks, enhancing global competitiveness.
