JORHAT, Oct 7 - The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has sanctioned an amount of Rs 3.39 crore to upgrade the tea analytical facilities at Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) under Tea Research Association at Cinnamara here to a food testing laboratory after a rigorous process of screening.
Tocklai Director Dr AK Barooah informed The Assam Tribune on Tuesday that the proposed food testing laboratory will be the first laboratory of its kind in upper Assam which will cater to the long-standing need for quality assurance in a wide range of food items.
Dr Barooah said that the new upgraded laboratory at Tocklai will have provision to test besides tea, other agri-horticultural products like cereal, pulses, spices, oil seeds, fruits and vegetables as well as drinking water for the benefit of the consumers as well as producers of the region.
He stated that the parameters to be tested are basic food values (as per product label), residues and contaminants as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requirements and Indian Standards (IS).
�Thus, consumers will be assured genuine and safe food and producers, value for their products... With this, Tocklai will be able to venture into sectors beyond tea in its diversification efforts to generate fund to fend for itself,� Dr Barooah said.
He thanked the Union Minister of State, MoFPI, Rameswar Teli for sanctioning the project and for reposing confidence in Tocklai�s capability.
