The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra is currently unable to independently conduct advanced testing of food and product samples for toxic substances, citing gaps in infrastructure and resources. Officials confirmed that the department must depend on other government agencies for specialised analysis involving harmful chemicals.
FDA Commissioner Shridhar Dube Patil said a proposal has been submitted to the state government to address the shortfall. He explained that identifying toxins such as pesticides, insecticides, and disinfectants requires sophisticated laboratory equipment, trained personnel, and dedicated facilities—none of which are presently available within the department.
The issue gained prominence following a recent case in South Mumbai involving the deaths of four members of a family. During the postmortem, traces of morphine and unusual green discolouration in tissues complicated the investigation, highlighting the limitations of existing testing capabilities and the need for advanced facilities.
According to officials, establishing a full-fledged toxin-testing laboratory would require an investment of approximately ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore. In addition, running such a facility would need a specialised team of 15 to 20 experts, significantly increasing operational costs. Authorities also noted that demand for such high-end testing remains limited, making it difficult to justify the expense under current conditions.
At present, the FDA primarily focuses on identifying food adulteration and is equipped to carry out routine safety checks. However, experts have pointed out that the absence of in-house toxicology testing may lead to delays in investigations, potentially affecting timely public health responses in critical cases.
In the South Mumbai incident, 11 food samples were collected from the residence of the victims. Officials stated that these samples can only be tested for food poisoning, and delays in collection may have resulted in fungal contamination, reducing the likelihood of conclusive findings.
The proposal submitted by the FDA is currently under review by the state government. If approved, it is expected to significantly strengthen the department’s capabilities in ensuring food safety and protecting consumers across Maharashtra.
Source: The Free Press Journal
