Lucknow — In a major step towards strengthening public health and food safety infrastructure, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced the establishment of advanced microbiology labs in five additional cities: Varanasi, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Bareilly, and Aligarh. This expansion comes after the successful setup of similar facilities in Lucknow and Meerut.
The new laboratories are aimed at enhancing the scientific testing of food and drug samples for microbial contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic pathogens. They are expected to enable faster, more accurate diagnostics and improve response times in health-related matters across the state.
Rekha Singh Chauhan, Special Secretary in the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, informed that the microbiology lab in Varanasi is now fully operational and will begin functioning from May 31. She called it a “milestone for eastern Uttar Pradesh,” as citizens in the region will no longer need to rely on labs in other cities or states for microbial testing.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the budget for labs in Kanpur, Mirzapur, Bareilly, and Aligarh, with the tender process currently underway. Construction is expected to begin soon, with a completion target of March 2026.
Once operational, these labs will conduct tests on fruits, vegetables, dairy products like milk, curd, and paneer, spices, and other consumables to detect harmful microorganisms and toxins. They will also be used to assess the purity and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. This will not only save time but also contribute to Uttar Pradesh’s self-reliance in the domain of scientific health infrastructure.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has a clear vision of setting up Food and Drug Testing Labs in every administrative division of the state. The initiative reflects the government’s strict zero-tolerance policy towards food adulteration and counterfeit medicines.
According to officials, the labs will issue legally valid reports, enabling authorities to take swift and effective legal action on food safety complaints. This is expected to restore public trust and significantly curb the sale of spurious food and drugs.
The initiative aligns closely with the Central Government’s broader programs such as “Ease of Doing Business” and “Strengthening Public Health.” From a technological standpoint, these microbiology labs will give a significant boost to scientific infrastructure in the state.
By empowering the state’s Food and Drug Administration, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to ensure citizens a safer and healthier life. Moreover, this effort is set to position the state as a national model in food safety and public health infrastructure.
With this forward-thinking move, Uttar Pradesh continues to make strides in building a resilient health ecosystem—ensuring both the safety of its people and the integrity of its public health systems.
