Patna: In a bid to strengthen food safety and curb adulteration, the Bihar government has decided to deploy five mobile food testing laboratories that will conduct on-the-spot testing of food items such as milk, edible oil and spices in markets and villages.
The initiative will initially be launched in four divisions, including Tirhut, enabling food safety officials to collect and analyse samples directly at the point of sale. Authorities said the move is expected to facilitate quicker action against those found selling adulterated food products.
The mobile laboratories will travel to urban markets as well as rural areas, allowing food inspectors to detect adulteration without waiting for samples to be transported to conventional laboratories.
Employment Opportunities for Youth
The new initiative is also expected to generate employment opportunities for qualified candidates.
Each mobile laboratory will be staffed by:
- One laboratory technician,
- One laboratory assistant, and
- One driver.
The laboratory technician will receive a monthly salary of Rs 25,000.
Candidates applying for the technician’s post must possess a degree in Chemistry or Food Technology.
Training Before Deployment
Selected personnel will undergo 15 days of training at the Agamkuan Food Testing Laboratory in Patna before being deployed in the field.
Special Focus on Shravani Mela
The government has placed special emphasis on ensuring food safety during the Shravani Mela, when lakhs of devotees travel across Bihar.
Officials said the mobile laboratories will be used to test the quality and purity of food served to pilgrims at the fair. If the regular workforce proves insufficient during the festival period, temporary staff will also be deployed to support inspection activities.
The arrangement has been planned until September 2026, covering the peak pilgrimage season and ensuring enhanced food safety surveillance across the state.
