Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying George Kurian is set to inaugurate a modern food testing laboratory in Kochi on Saturday. This initiative marks a significant advancement in enhancing quality assurance infrastructure for Kerala’s dairy and food industries.
The laboratory, a collaboration between Milma and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), is situated at the Ernakulam Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU) campus in Edappally. It will operate as a branch of NDDB CALF Limited, upholding the same high professional and quality standards as other NDDB laboratories nationwide.
Initially, the Kochi facility will focus on meeting the testing needs of the dairy sector in Kerala and neighboring regions. It is fully equipped to conduct comprehensive quality and safety assessments of milk and its products.
In the future, the laboratory’s services will expand gradually to encompass testing of various food and agricultural items like spices, fruits, vegetables, bakery products, ready-to-eat foods, fish, and related commodities. Accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in New Delhi, the lab ensures adherence to nationally recognized testing norms.
NDDB CALF Managing Director Dr. Rajesh Nair highlighted that the Kochi laboratory, furnished with modern infrastructure and advanced equipment, will also assist state government departments and food safety authorities by offering scientific testing services to mitigate food safety risks.
