J&K: Food safety vans on wheels (FSWs) to be operational in UT

In Jammu and Kashmir, the recently inaugurated food safety vans on wheels (FSWs) will be operational in the Union Territory from today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the deployment of state-of-the-art Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) mobile food testing laboratories last week.

Six FSWs have been dedicated to strategically identified locations across the Union Territory. Two of these vans would serve the urban hubs of Srinagar and Jammu, while the remaining four would cover Shopian, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Bandipora districts of Kashmir region and Kathua, Samba, Reasi, and Udhampur districts of Jammu division. 

These vans are equipped with state-of-the-art features like microbiological settings, GPS tracking, audio-visual installations, and the ability to



perform on-site tests at a micro level. In addition to tests, these vans have to host 25 training programmes, and 15 awareness camps aimed at educating both consumers and food business operators on crucial aspects of food safety and hygiene practices. Analysts and assistants will be on board to facilitate the testing process and ensure the efficiency of operations. 

The FSWs can conduct up to 250 sample tests per month. Worth mentioning, this food safety on wheels is a kind of lab in which all kinds of tests will be done. All the food samples including milk, sweets, confectioneries, bakery, and other food items will be tested. The FSWs and Microbiological Section established would be out of the funds provided by FSSAI under the MoU.