Standards, Accreditation and Validity of FSSAI-Recognised Food Testing Laboratories

Short Description 

FSSAI strengthens food safety in India by accrediting laboratories through NABL, enforcing Good Laboratory Practices, addressing operational challenges, and promoting global standards to ensure food quality and public health. 

Introduction 

Food safety is a crucial component of public health. In India, the FSSAI plays a pivotal role in regulating and supervising food standards. A key mechanism for ensuring food safety is the network of FSSAI-recognized food testing laboratories, responsible for analysing food products for compliance and quality. 

The FSSAI published a list of recognised laboratories having their NABL accreditation. This updated list emphasises FSSAI’s commitment to strengthening food safety infrastructure and ensuring the highest standards of food quality across the country. 

The Role of Food Testing Laboratories 

The main purpose of these laboratories is to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, thereby facilitating the distribution of food in the domestic market, exports, and imports, and enhancing the overall quality of food products. Their primary functions include: 

• Detecting contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial pathogens. 

• Verifying nutritional analysis. 

• To detect the presence of additives, preservatives and ensure adequate hygiene of products. 

• Ensuring that the specific products meet the FSSAI standards. 

Hence, these laboratories play a crucial role in maintaining food safety, quality, and compliance with the set standards, thereby safeguarding public health and promoting the reliability of distribution of food in the domestic market, exports, and imports. 

Fig. 1: Functions of Food Testing Laboratories 

FSSAI Recognition and Accreditation Process 

The FSSAI, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is responsible for ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. As part of its mandate, FSSAI accredits food testing laboratories to maintain high standards in food safety.  

The recognition process requires laboratories to be accredited by NABL or other equivalent agencies approved by FSSAI. In 2018, FSSAI introduced regulations outlining the procedure for the recognition, notification, de-notification, and de-recognition of laboratories, with a focus on laboratories complying with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. 

To apply for recognition, an accreditation body must meet several criteria, including  

• Compliance with ISO/IEC 17011,  

• Membership in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC),  

• Being a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).  

The application process involves submitting documentation and a fee of Rs. 2,00,000 for first-time applications. Recognized bodies are reviewed every two years, and the recognition is granted for a period of five years.  

FSSAI aims to streamline the accreditation process and engage with multiple accreditation agencies, enabling laboratories to meet the growing demand for food safety testing in India while aligning with global standards. 

Methods to Ensure Ongoing Validity of Licenses of Food Laboratories 

The Good Food Laboratory Practices (GFLP) Manual issued by the FSSAI in September 2018 is a comprehensive guide aimed at enhancing the quality and reliability of food testing laboratories across the country.  

Practices to ensure ongoing validity of licenses of food laboratories include: 

• Laboratory Infrastructure and Environmental Conditions: 
  Laboratories must have well-designed, adequately spaced facilities with controlled environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity) suitable for different testing activities, minimizing contamination risks. 

• Personnel and Training: 
  Qualified and trained personnel are essential, and staff must be regularly updated on good laboratory practices, safety protocols, and specific analytical methods. 

• Equipment, Chemicals, and Reagents: 
  Laboratories must maintain properly calibrated equipment and use high-quality chemicals and reagents, with appropriate storage, labelling, and traceability to ensure testing accuracy. 

• Sample Management and Test Methods: 
  Samples should be uniquely identified, properly documented, securely stored, and analyzed using validated, standardized methods to ensure reliability and comparability of results. 

• Quality Assurance and Proficiency Testing: 
  Internal quality controls, participation in external proficiency testing programs, and regular internal audits are critical to maintaining and improving analytical competence. 

• Reporting, Documentation, Waste Disposal, and Safety: 
  Clear, accurate reporting, meticulous record-keeping, safe waste disposal, and strict adherence to laboratory safety measures are essential to ensure the integrity and sustainability of laboratory operations. 

By implementing these practices, laboratories can ensure more consistent and accurate food safety testing, thereby bolstering public health protection and regulatory compliance in India’s food sector. 

Fig. 2: Practices to Ensure Ongoing Validity of Licenses of Food Laboratories 

Challenges Affecting Validity 

Food safety is a public health concern, with advanced food testing laboratories playing a key role in detecting adulterants, ensuring nutritional transparency, and maintaining quality across the food value chain. The main challenges in maintaining food testing laboratories include: 

Overcoming the multifaceted challenges is crucial to optimizing laboratory operations and ensuring broader access to reliable food safety testing. 

Conclusion 

FSSAI’s efforts to recognize and strengthen food testing laboratories are crucial for improving food safety and public health in India. FSSAI released a list of laboratories recognized with NABL accreditation for the analysis of food samples.  

While accreditation, Good Laboratory Practices, and monitoring have raised standards, challenges like equipment delays, manpower shortages, and limited awareness persist. Addressing these issues through better investment and regulatory support is essential to build a reliable food safety system and meet global standards. 

Short Summary 

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food standards in India and accredits laboratories that ensure compliance with national food safety norms. 

• Laboratories must obtain the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation and meet ISO/IEC 17025 standards 

• The Good Food Laboratory Practices (GFLP) Manual mandates laboratory infrastructure, personnel training, equipment standards, quality assurance, and safety practices to ensure accurate and reliable testing. 

References 

1. Validity of FSSAI recognized Food Testing Laboratories [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 28].  

Available from: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2025/04/67ffa07e470a9April-Monthly%20validity%20order%2016042025.pdf 

2. 100 New Food Testing Labs to be Established with Financial Support from Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Announces Ravneet Singh Bittu [Internet]. Pib.gov.in. 2025 [cited 2025 Apr 28].  

Available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2114057 

3. Requirements for Accreditation Bodies For Approval by the Food Authority To [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 28].  

Available from: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2022/12/63ac162748495Notice_for_recognition_and_approval.pdf 

4. GOOD FOOD LABORATORY PRACTICES (GFLPs) FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI 2018 GOOD FOOD LABORATORY PRACTICES GOOD FOOD LABORATORY PRACTICES (GFLPs) 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT [Internet].  

Available from: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Manual_GFLP_06_09_2018.pdf 

5. Kuna A, Kata L. Challenges in Maintaining Food Testing Laboratories [Internet]. 2022.  

Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362710780_Challenges_in_Maintaining_Food_Testing_Laboratories