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PESHAWAR, Jul 23 (APP): Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur inaugurated KP’s First State-of-the-Art Food Testing Laboratory here at Hayatabad on Wednesday.
The province’s first state-of-the-art “Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Centre for Research” was established at a cost of Rs 905 million.
The facility is the first of its kind static food testing laboratory in the province, equipped with advanced machinery and modern testing capabilities. Officials stated that the laboratory will provide scientific analysis of food quality and detect adulteration using cutting-edge equipment.
The lab encompasses specialized sections in food microbiology, food chemistry and nutritional analysis, pesticide residue detection, and mycotoxin analysis. It also includes capabilities for heavy metal analysis, dairy, meat, and edible oil testing, as well as sensory evaluation.
Designed under one roof, the facility comprises eight dedicated sub-laboratories and is integrated with an online reporting system and a modern Management Information System (MIS).
The lab has the capacity to test nearly 1,500 parameters across more than 100 food items and meets international ISO standards. It can detect harmful chemicals like aflatoxins and formalin, and microbial contaminants including salmonella, listeria, E. coli, and mold.
Additionally, it allows testing for heavy metals in water and beverages, and performs comprehensive nutritional profiling including fat, protein, moisture, ash content, and calorific value.