Lucknow’s Regional Food Research and Analysis Centre has been included in APEDA’s list of recognised laboratories, the Uttar Pradesh government announced on November 2. The recognition gives the state’s food and agricultural exporters another local option for obtaining product-testing reports.
The government said access to the Lucknow facility should reduce exporters’ dependence on laboratories outside Uttar Pradesh. It expects the arrangement to shorten the testing process and help businesses meet export requirements. The announcement did not give measured turnaround times or a fee schedule.
Additional Chief Secretary B L Meena urged exporters to use the facility for the necessary tests and reports. District magistrates, divisional commissioners and chief development officers have been asked to circulate information about the service to relevant businesses.
ABT News also reported the recognition and the outreach instructions on November 2. The announcement concerns the laboratory’s listing; it does not establish that every product or test is covered. Exporters should check the applicable testing scope with the centre before submitting samples.
Archive illustration: an FDA microbiologist stores samples in Atlanta, United States, on January 6, 2009. This is not RFRAC Lucknow. Photo: Michael J. Ermarth / U.S. Food and Drug Administration; public domain. Resized proportionally; no other changes.
