FHRAI, HRAWI open non-commercial food testing laboratory

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) said today it has established a food testing laboratory in Gujarat, on a non- commercial basis, that would also conduct tests at around 50 per cent lower cost, than its commercial counterparts.
"With the introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act, it has become mandatory for food business operators (FBOs) to test their food products.
"The number of labs that currently exist are grossly insufficient and will not be able to cope with the sheer volume of service seekers. Our lab will benefit thousands of FBOs from bakery federations, catering associations, food retail traders and mithaiwala associations, among others," HRAWI President D S Advani said in a release.

The lab has been established jointly by FHRAI and its Western region counterpart called the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI).
Fully equipped with international standard equipments, the lab will be managed by a team of qualified and experienced technologists who is proficient in testing almost all Indian culinary samples.
Technologists would also personally collect food samples from hoteliers and other FBOs so that it would reflect the truth without any ambiguity.

"Another important feature of the lab is that services will be offered at arount 40 per cent to 50 per cent discounted rates compared to existing market rates. It is our objective to encourage FBOs and our members to follow international standards of hygiene," HRAWI Chairman Gujarat Region Nirav Gandhi said.

With the setting up of the lab, HRAWI would also make provisions to train hoteliers.
The training programme would help hoteliers put up systems and procedures in place, to make them independent in maintaining food safety norms.