Hindustan Times News, New Delhi : Fruits, vegetables, honey… milk products are evaluated through stringent tests for all quality parameters at the NDDB CALF laboratory. This laboratory was established in 2009. Initially, only milk, dairy products and animal feed were tested and analyzed.
Controversy has erupted after reports of Prasad in Tirupati temple. Ghee for prasad ladles is adulterated, reports said. The laboratory testing Prasad is located in Anand, Gujarat, known as NDDB CALF
What is NDDB CALF?
This laboratory evaluates milk and milk products through stringent tests for all quality parameters. This laboratory was established in 2009. It was established by the National Dairy Development Board keeping in mind all its cooperatives and milk producers. Named CALF stands for Livestock and Feed Analysis and Research Center where analyzes related to dairy products, food, fruits, vegetables, animal feed and genetics are carried out.
For this the laboratory has a staff of 80 people, including 40 analysts who test and analyze samples coming in for testing. As of early 2009, only milk, milk products and animal feed were tested and analyzed. Gradually the laboratory was advanced with modern equipment for analytical work. The scope of testing has been extended to fruits and vegetables, fats and oils, honey and water.
Apart from this, analysis of pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, aflatoxins, dioxins was also started. Considering the needs of NDDB’s Breed Improvement Program and Semen Testing Centre, CALF established a facility for genetic testing
CALF Achievements
The laboratory received its first NABL certification as per ISO 17025 in 2013 for approximately 200 tests. The current accredited scope of the laboratory includes approximately 3500 tests in various fields. CALF achieved a milestone in 2014 by becoming a reference laboratory of FSSAI in the field of analysis of milk and milk products.
In the year 2017, the laboratory received accreditation for processing industries in support of dairy and other food products from organizations such as Processing Industries and Processing Industries Bureau.
In 2018, it was approved by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) and in 2019, it was approved by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Then in 2019, FSSAI also declared it as National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Dairy and Dairy Products.
Under NRL, the lab launched a new service called proficiency testing in 2021. CALF has set up the country’s first unique facility for milk fat purity, dioxin analysis in dairy products and honey authenticity. With financial support from the National Bee Board (NBB), CALF has become the first accredited laboratory in the country to honestly test the purity of honey. NDDB Calf Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB, was incorporated on February 25, 2023, to increase the leverage and reach of quality testing across the country.
Who owns NDDB CALF?
NDDB CALF is a subsidiary of NDDB which falls under NDDB. It is maintained by the management of NDDB. NDDB was established under an Act of Parliament and is an autonomous body under the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. Father of white revolution in India Dr. It was founded in 1965 by Varghese Kurian. It is headquartered in Anand and has offices across the country. To avoid political pressure, its board already included members related to animal husbandry and dairying.
Till 2021, an IAS officer under the Central Government was also its Chairman. Currently Dr. Meenesh Shah has been associated with it for over 35 years. Earlier he was a member of the board. He was then made the acting chairman and in 2022 he was also made the managing director along with the chairman.
Besides, he is also President of IDMC, IIL, MDFVPL, NDS, MRIDA and Board Member of International Dairy Federation (IDF). In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate for his contribution to the dairy sector of the NDDB. He has completed graduation in Dairy Technology and Post Graduate in Rural Management from Institute of Rural Management, Anand.
NDDB is of national importance as it helps the central government in planning and implementing schemes for the development of farmers and dairy products. It is a national organization funded by the Government of India, under which various companies have been set up, one of which is NDDB CALF. More than 1.90 lakh cooperative societies, 245 milk unions, 22 federations and cooperative societies in India are associated with NDDB. More than one and a half crore farmers are members of its village committees.
