Peshawar (Agencies): In a major step towards ensuring the provision of safe and healthy food, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched five new state-of-the-art mobile food testing laboratories. The launch ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur as the chief guest. The event was attended by members of the provincial cabinet, the provincial assembly, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, senior officials from the Food Department, and representatives from international partner organizations.

The newly launched mobile food testing labs, established at a cost of 90 million rupees, are equipped with modern diagnostic tools such as milk analyzers, arsenic kits for water, moisture analyzers, pH meters, and TDS meters. These mobile units will provide free, on-the-spot testing of food items like milk, water, spices, honey, juices, ice cream, and 24 other essential food products. Citizens will be able to access these testing services directly in their neighborhoods, with instant results printed on-site. Inspection data and reports will also be shared online with senior officials for transparency and accountability.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the expansion of mobile food testing services is part of his administration’s 99-point “Awami Agenda” aimed at providing clean, healthy, and adulteration-free food to the public. He emphasized that food adulteration is a grave issue, adding that it contradicts Islamic teachings, which strictly prohibit such practices. Gandapur urged food business operators to adhere to Islamic principles and avoid selling adulterated food.

He further announced plans to expand the mobile testing labs to all districts of the province by June next year, with eventual expansion to the tehsil level. The Chief Minister also directed authorities to operationalize the static food testing laboratory in Peshawar within a month, pledging full government support for the initiative. Once operational, all food items in the province will be registered, and no unregistered items will be allowed in the market without prior approval and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the food testing lab.

In addition, Gandapur announced the regularization of contract employees of the Halal Food Authority and instructed the institution to enhance its capacity to better regulate food safety standards. He noted that the increase in mobile food testing units will help create a more transparent and efficient food safety system, while also curbing harassment of legitimate businesses.

Provincial Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru also addressed the event, reiterating the government’s commitment to combating food adulteration and ensuring the availability of clean, safe, and hygienic food products for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

By Admin

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