Chattogram food testing lab to open soon: Mayor Shahadat
Chattogram Moves Closer to Launching Municipal Food Testing Service
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Chattogram City Corporation is preparing to bring its food testing laboratory into operation, a step Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said could strengthen public-health protection for people living in the city.
The facility is located in Bibirhat, Muradpur, and is expected to begin providing food-testing services after further upgrades and a formal inauguration. The mayor outlined the plan on 17 October while attending a handover ceremony for laboratory equipment and chemical reagents.
The supplies were delivered through the Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services Project. The project has also supported staffing at the laboratory, with a microbiologist and two operators newly assigned to work there.
Focus on Detecting Harmful Substances
Food safety depends not only on having advanced instruments, but also on using them correctly and consistently, Shahadat said. He stressed that regular examinations would be important for identifying formalin and other substances that may be harmful to consumers.
“Accurate testing and the effective use of modern equipment” are essential for safe food, the mayor said.
During the visit, Shahadat inspected several areas of the laboratory. He reviewed the condition and operation of its equipment, arrangements for keeping samples, and the procedures intended for testing work. He also spoke with laboratory personnel about equipment operation, maintenance requirements, storage practices, electricity costs and other day-to-day operational needs.
A functioning municipal testing facility could give residents a local avenue for checking food products while enabling the city corporation to play a more direct role in preventive public-health work. Testing capacity can help authorities identify concerns early, especially when it is maintained on a routine basis rather than used only after complaints arise.
Maintenance and Skilled Operation Seen as Essential
Shahadat said the corporation already has modern equipment and should now concentrate on ensuring that the tools are properly operated. He noted that the laboratory’s value would depend on sound maintenance, appropriate software management and continued training for staff.
The mayor also said the laboratory could generate revenue for Chattogram City Corporation while serving the public interest. A public-facing testing service may allow the institution to support food-safety oversight and establish a practical service for people seeking laboratory examination of food items.
For such a service to work reliably, the equipment must remain usable and chemical materials must be safely managed. Shahadat instructed staff to examine the service life of laboratory instruments and review expiry dates on chemicals. Materials that have expired should be removed quickly, while the inventory should be kept current, he said.
These operational details matter because testing results depend on dependable instruments, correctly stored samples and valid reagents. The presence of equipment alone does not ensure reliable outcomes; laboratory teams need clear procedures and regular checks to maintain the quality of their work.
Planned Upgrade Before Public Opening
The city corporation plans to upgrade the Bibirhat laboratory before formally opening it to the public. Shahadat said the inauguration and public launch would take place soon, though no specific opening date was announced at the event.
Once operational, the facility is intended to contribute to safer food for Chattogram residents. Its work is expected to include checking food samples for formalin and other harmful elements, with regular testing identified as a central requirement.
The handover ceremony was attended by Chattogram City Corporation Executive Engineer Safkat Bin Amin; Malaria and Mosquito Control Officer Md Sharful Islam Mahi; Md Enamul Haque, Behaviour Change Communication Specialist for the project; Md Zahid Hossain; and Rial Hasan.
The laboratory’s forthcoming launch places emphasis on preventive action: identifying potential food-safety risks through testing before they can affect more consumers. The city corporation’s next task will be turning the equipment, staff and planned procedures into a consistent service that residents can rely on.
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