The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)’s laboratory Centre for Analysis & Learning in Livestock & Food (CALF) has been recognised as a National Reference Laboratory or NRL for dairy & dairy products by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Following the order from FSSAI, CALF has become the only National Reference Laboratory in India for Milk & Milk products. It was already a Referral Lab (RL) of FSSAI for different analysis.
A statement from NDDB said, “CALF’s nomination as NRL for dairy & dairy products gives an opportunity to improve methods of testing of dairy products, as numerous tests are done on a daily basis in dairy products. The results of these tests further influence the upshot, as to whether or not it complies with legislation for the industry".
Centre for Analysis & Learning in Livestock and Food will work on harmonization and develop methods for routine testing procedures, to attain a higher level of confidence in comparability of results. As an NRL, CALF will be a knowledge & resource centre for information on analytical science in milk as well as milk products.
It must be noted that the FSSAI has granted NRL status to thirteen accredited laboratories across India in specific regions. And amongst them eight are from the government sector while the remaining five from private sector.
The aim of NRL is to form a laboratory network on a par with international food testing & research laboratories that provide method development, method validation training & proficiency testing. It will assess the performance of FSSAI notified laboratories and will also coordinate exchange of information among FSSAI notified laboratories.
