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Food Safety ScienceGuest Article

National Food Laboratory, Kolkata: The Torchbearer of Food Safety in India for Seven Decades

Dr Jagabandhu Chakrabarti Ex-Director, NFL, Kolkata
Portrait of Dr Jagabandhu Chakrabarti, Ex-Director, National Food Laboratory, Kolkata
Dr Jagabandhu Chakrabarti
Ex-Director, NFL Kolkata

The National Food Laboratory (NFL), Kolkata has been at the forefront of food safety in India for nearly seven decades. Established in 1955 for the enforcement of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the laboratory has played a pioneering role in ensuring the quality and safety of food, both domestic and imported.

With the introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Government of India sought to address the limitations of the earlier food adulteration legislation and establish a comprehensive framework for food safety and standards. In this evolving regulatory landscape, NFL, Kolkata has continued its efforts to develop as a Centre of Excellence in food analysis, research, standardization and training.

As an institution committed to the fixation and uniformity of standards, the laboratory contributes significantly to safeguarding the quality and safety of food. It analyzes samples received from various authorities, including Trial Courts, Customs Authorities and Port Health Authorities, thereby supporting the effective implementation of food-safety regulations.

Over the years, NFL, Kolkata has undertaken several collaborative projects under WHO and ICMR programmes and has successfully contributed to important scientific investigations. The laboratory's Pesticide Unit played a particularly commendable role during the 2004 soft-drink controversy concerning the occurrence of residual pesticides. The quality and reliability of the analytical work generated by the laboratory were highly appreciated by national scientists involved in assessing the reliability of the data obtained from the investigative samples.

In addition, an extension centre of NFL, Kolkata at Raxaul on the Indo-Nepal border has been operational since November 2002, further extending the laboratory's reach and contribution to food safety.

Newspaper clipping describing food adulteration as a growing menace and introducing the Central Food Laboratory
Newspaper clipping describing the founding of the Central Food Laboratory in June 1955 at the All-India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta
Citation reading: Reprints from Swasth Hind, June 1966, Volume 10, Number 6, pages 169 to 172
Historic press coverage on the founding of the Central Food Laboratory, Calcutta.

Research and Standardization

Research has always been one of the proud pursuits of NFL, Kolkata. The laboratory's academic capabilities and scientific infrastructure enabled it to be recognized by several universities for Ph.D. research work. Such academic and scientific activities were encouraged whenever they could be undertaken without interfering with the laboratory's regular service responsibilities.

Over the years, approximately 15 researchers have obtained Ph.D. degrees through work associated with the laboratory, while several research contributions have received recognition for their scientific merit and publication quality.

The laboratory has made substantial contributions to food science and analytical methodology, with nearly 600 research papers published in national and international journals.

Article titled Selection of Analytical Methods, Particularly in a Developing Country by B. R. Roy, Director, Central Food Laboratory, Calcutta
Citation reading: Reprinted from Applied Nutrition, Volume 4, Number 1, pages 39 to 40, 1976
“Selection of Analytical Methods, Particularly in a Developing Country” by B. R. Roy, Director, Central Food Laboratory, Calcutta.

Recognizing the need for uniform analytical procedures across food laboratories at both the State and Central levels, a landmark compilation entitled “Tentative Methods of Analysis” was authored by S. N. Mitra, the then Director of CFL, Kolkata, and published in 1963 by the Government of India Press.

Passing the Baton: Three Directors, One Legacy Dr S. N. Mitra hands the baton to Dr B. R. Roy, who hands it to Dr J. Chakrabarti, representing the continuity of leadership at the Central Food Laboratory / National Food Laboratory, Kolkata. 1963 → 1976 1976 → Present SNM Dr S. N. Mitra Director, CFL Kolkata Tentative Methods · 1963 BRR Dr B. R. Roy Director, CFL Kolkata Analytical Methods · 1976 JC Dr J. Chakrabarti Ex-Director, NFL Kolkata Carrying the legacy forward
Like a relay baton passed from runner to runner — from Dr S. N. Mitra's 1963 “Tentative Methods of Analysis” to Dr B. R. Roy's 1976 paper on analytical methods, and on to this very article — three generations of CFL/NFL directors have carried forward the same commitment to food-analysis standardization.

The compilation was subsequently expanded and extensively improved with active support from the Ministry and DGHS. Under the World Bank Capacity Building Project, item-wise compilations comprising 11 volumes were made available to food laboratories across the country. These publications played an important role in harmonizing analytical methods for the purposes of the Prevention of Food Adulteration framework.

Training and Capacity Building

Since its inception, NFL, Kolkata has also served as an important centre for training and capacity building in the field of food safety and food analysis.

The laboratory has conducted various training programmes, including Food Inspectors' Training programmes under FAO and WHO initiatives. Under the World Bank-funded Capacity Building Project, numerous training programmes have also been conducted through the Ministry/DGHS at NFL, Kolkata and at centres in the North-Eastern Region, including Guwahati and Gangtok.

Over the years, training has been provided to a wide range of stakeholders, including:

  • Food industry personnel
  • Food Safety Officers / Inspectors
  • Local health authorities
  • Food / Public analysts
  • Lab. Analysts
  • Secretariat staff of laboratories
  • Consumer organizations

Participants in these programmes have expressed their satisfaction and encouragement, while also offering valuable suggestions for strengthening and expanding training activities at their respective centres and facilitating greater participation.

A Continuing Commitment to Food Safety

The journey of NFL, Kolkata is a story of scientific dedication, public service, research, standardization and capacity building. From its establishment in 1955 to its continuing role in India's modern food-safety framework, the laboratory has remained committed to the cause of quality and safe food.

Officials walking together at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, 9 June 2006
Dignitaries at the podium during the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, 9 June 2006

Golden Jubilee Celebration, Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata — 9 June 2006

“Science seeks truth that enriches human life.”

The mission of achieving Quality and Safe Food for the nation can only be realized when food laboratories possess the scientific capability, commitment and determination to pursue it with integrity.

For seven decades, the Team NFL, Kolkata has carried this responsibility with dedication and pride.

TEAM NFL, KOLKATA
Committed to “Quality and Safe India”

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