Food testing
Food Laboratories is a sub-section of the Laboratories Section in the Technical Wing of the Punjab Food Authority. Food laboratories have been working since May 2012, as per Article 21 of the PFA Act 2011, with the objective of checking adulteration and contamination of food samples in order to ensure food safety and quality.
Currently, nine stationary laboratories are working in Punjab, of which two are in Lahore and one in Multan.
Moreover, three mobile food laboratories are working in Lahore
one is in Multan
one is in Sahiwal
one is in Gujranwala
one is in Sargodha
one is in Faislabad
and one is in Rawalpindi.
To check for adulteration and contamination of food samples in order to ensure food safety and quality.
- Implementation of a food safety system to curtail the risk of food adulteration
- To curb foodborne diseases
- To diminish the health risks associated with the utilization of unsafe food in Pakistan.
Commodities being tested in food laboratories are listed below:
- Water
- Fats and Oils
- Sweets and Confectionary
- Drinks and Beverages
- Dairy and Dairy Products
- Cereals and Spices
- Snacks and Bakery Items
- Fruits and Vegetable Products
- Eggs & Egg Product
- Colors and Dye
Procedure for Free Milk Testing:
Food Testing of Private
Sample
Apply online at our portal, https://cell.pfa.gop.pk, or visit the front desk of any food laboratory and submit the required information. After submission of the fee, submit a food sample to the front desk of the food lab. Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm Days (Monday to Friday)Submit the challan form in any Allied Bank branch or through Easy Paisa.
1. District Food Laboratory, 84-C New Muslim Town near Naqsha Stop Wahdat Road Lahore.
2. Govt. Public Analyst Lab., Islamia Park, Poonch Road Lahore.
3. Govt. Public Analyst Lab. near Circuit House, Jail Road Multan.
Q No. 1: How can I confirm whether my food commodity is safe to consume or not?
Answer: You can confirm the quality and safety of food commodities by getting them tested at the Food Laboratories of the Punjab Food Authority.
Q No. 2: Where are food laboratories located?
Answer: At present, three stationary food laboratories are working in Punjab. The addresses of these labs are given below:
1-District Food Laboratory, 84-C New Muslim Town, near Naqsha Stop Wahdat Road, Lahore
- Govt. Public Analyst Laboratory, Islamia Park, Poonch Road, Lahore
- Govt. Public Analyst Laboratory, near Circuit House, Jail Road, Multan.
Q No. 3: Which commodities can be tested at food laboratories?
Answer: The following commodities are being tested in food laboratories:
- Water
- Fats and oils
- Sweets and confectionery
- Drinks and beverages
- Dairy and dairy products
- Cereals and spices
- Snacks and bakery items
- Fruits and vegetable products
- Eggs and Egg Products
- Colors and dye
Q No. 4: What is the testing fee for milk for household or domestic use?
Answer: Milk testing is free for household or domestic samples.
Q No. 5: How much milk should I bring to the laboratory for testing?
Answer: 200 ml of milk is required for testing against various parameters.
Q No. 6: How much time does it take to get the milk sample analyzed?
Answer: The results of milk testing can be obtained in just 10 minutes.
Q No. 7: What is the testing fee for household or domestic food commodities (other than milk)?
Answer: Only one thousand PKR (Rs. 1000/-) is charged for private household or domestic food samples.
Q No. 8: How much time does it take to get the food samples analyzed?
Answer: Different food samples take different amounts of time for analysis, ranging from a few hours to a few days.
Q No. 9: What is the testing fee for household or domestic food commodities for government organizations or institutions?
Answer: Only three thousand PKR (Rs. 3000/-) is required to be paid by government organizations for the analysis of their food samples.
Q No. 10: What is the testing fee for household or domestic food commodities for food business operators?
Answer: Food business operators are commercially charged for the analysis of their food samples; a rate list is available on our website.
Q No. 11: What are the timings for food laboratories for the submission of samples by food business operators or the general public?
Answer: Food Laboratories are open for submission of samples by food business operators and the general public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q No. 12: Are food laboratories open on weekends for submission of samples by food business operators or the general public?
Answer: No, food laboratories are operational for submission of samples by food business operators and the general public from Monday to Friday.