The Haryana government has taken a significant step to ensure food safety for residents in the National Capital Region (NCR). In a move to crackdown on food adulteration, the state administration has approved the deployment of 28 new Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) vans. This decision, confirmed around February 16, 2026, is backed by a substantial budget of ₹53.21 crore aimed at upgrading the regulatory infrastructure. These mobile labs will travel across districts to provide residents with quick and scientific food testing facilities.
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How will these mobile labs help the common man?
The primary goal of these vans is to make food testing accessible to everyone. Residents often worry about the purity of daily essentials like milk, ghee, and spices. With these mobile labs visiting local markets and residential areas, people can get their groceries checked instantly without visiting a distant government office.
- Testing Fee: Citizens can get food samples tested on-the-spot for a nominal fee of ₹20 per sample.
- Target Items: The labs will focus on checking adulteration in milk, dairy products, edible oils, and spices.
- Reach: The 28 vans will specifically target high-consumption zones in the NCR to boost consumer confidence.
Strict government stance on food safety
The state government has made it clear that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding unsafe food. Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has warned that strict legal action will be taken against any shopkeeper or business selling misbranded or adulterated items. This follows a recent drive where multiple samples of paneer and desi ghee failed quality tests.
Sumita Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary of Health, stated that the initiative aims to provide faster testing results. She emphasized that since dairy is a staple diet in Haryana, ensuring its purity is a top priority for the administration. All these labs will operate under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Infrastructure updates for Gurugram and Karnal
Apart from the mobile vans, the government is also working on permanent solutions to improve food safety standards in major cities. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is executing these projects to ensure long-term public health benefits.
| City | Project Status |
|---|---|
| Gurugram | Project for dedicated infrastructure is currently in the tendering stage. |
| Karnal | DPR approved for a modern laboratory; completion target is 2026–27. |
| Ambala | Clean Street Food Hub with 60 shops to be ready by February 2026 end. |
