PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government (KP) has set up its first modern Food Testing Laboratory and Research Centre in Hayatabad, Peshawar, to ensure better food safety and protect public health.
The project, completed at a cost of Rs905 million, is the first static food testing lab in the province. It is fully equipped with advanced machines and modern testing tools to check food quality and detect harmful substances.
According to officials, the lab will offer scientific testing services to detect food adulteration. It includes specialised sections for food microbiology, food chemistry, nutritional analysis, pesticide residue detection, mycotoxin testing, and heavy metal analysis. The lab can also test milk, meat, edible oil, and conduct sensory evaluations.
The facility houses eight sub-laboratories under one roof and is linked to an online reporting system and a modern Management Information System (MIS) for efficient record-keeping.
The laboratory meets international ISO standards and can test up to 1,500 different parameters in over 100 food items. It can detect dangerous chemicals such as aflatoxins and formalin, and bacteria like salmonella, listeria, E. coli, and mold.
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It can also test water and drinks for heavy metals, and carry out nutritional profiling, including fat, protein, moisture, ash content, and calorie count.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said the lab reflects the vision of Imran Khan, as the government aims to provide quality services and improve the health of the people.
He added that the lab can also check for antibiotic residues in meat and dairy products and provide halal certification by verifying that food does not contain harmful or non-permitted animal ingredients.
More than 20 Food Authority offices across KP will be used as sample collection points, and a digital tracking system will ensure public access to lab reports and maintain transparency.
The Chief Minister praised the timely completion of the project and instructed officials to keep the lab updated with latest technologies.
He strongly warned that food adulteration is a serious offence and those involved are enemies of public health. He made it clear that only those food products approved by this lab would be allowed to be sold in the market. Other departments and government bodies will also be able to use the lab’s services.
