Prevention of Food Adulteration

Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (Central Act of 1954) is implemented throughout Kerala.
The Director Of Health Services is the State Food Health Authority.
There is a food administration wing with the Deputy Director of Health Services (PFA) as the state programme officer, it who controls and supervises the programme. There are three mechanisms for the enforcement of the Act – viz – the Enforcement Machinery, Laboratory services and Prosecution of Food Adulteration cases.

Enforcement Machinery
The food inspectors are appointed and notified for periodical inspection and collection of food samples for analysis. There are 60 Circle Food Inspectors in the rural area and 14 District Food Inspectors and three mobile vigilance squad on a regional basis at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode with jurisdiction including urban areas, for surprise inspection, investigation of consumer complaints and control of adulteration at manufacture level. In urban areas, Food Inspectors are appointed by local bodies and Health Officers / Commissioners are the local authority.

Laboratory
The Chief Government Analyst is the controlling officer of the 3 analytical laboratories at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. Analytical reports are issued with in 40 days. They also undertake analysis of hospital diet articles and water samples. Facilities are also available for testing of food and water samples received from private parties on payment of fees.

State Public Health and Clinical Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Public Health laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram started in the year 1937. Now it is known as State Public Health and Clinical Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram. The various activities of the Laboratory come under the following heads. 1.Diagnostic Section
The Diagnostic Section is the reception centre for all the specimens and the patients for all their investigations of haematological nature, faeces, sputum, semen and other miscellaneous fluids. Pregnancy tests etc. are also carried out in this section.

2.Bacteriology section
This section does cultural examination of blood, urine, sputum, pus, CSF, Spinal fluid and various aspirated fluids, vaginal swabs, throat, nose and ear swabs etc. and evaluate the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antibiotics in order to give an indication regarding treatment. This section helps in detection of diseases like typhoid, Rheumatic fever, cholera, dysentery, tetanus, diphtheria and such other diseases which are of public health importance and grouped under communicable diseases there by helping the public health work and preventive aspects of health services. Besides, this section is equipped to do water bacteriology in which pathogens causing cholera, typhoid etc. present in drinking water are identified. This facility is regularly used by many, especially during the out break of epidemics like gastro-entritise etc. In addition to the above samples from the operation theatres, neonatal wards, labour rooms and CSR of the neighbouring hospitals are sent to this unit regularly after the fumigation process in order to runout infections. Skin scraping for fungus etc. is also examined here.

3. Clinical Chemistry Section
This section undertakes chemical analysis of body fluids and other biological materials such as blood, urine CSF and other body fluids. The tests available are glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, Lipoid profile (Cholesterol, tri-glycerides, VDRL, LDL and HDL), sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, LFTs, acid phosphates, amylase, cardiac enzymes etc. Qualitative a quantitative analysis of urine are also done. Modern methodology and instruments such as semi auto analyser, spectro photometer, flame photometer etc. are employed. Beside, both external and internal quality assessments are being done as part of routine work.

4. Serology Section
This section does some tests for detection of typhoid fever, brucellosis infectious mononucleosis syphilis and such other diseases. Some of the antigens for these tests are prepared in this section and supplied to the other hospitals in the state.

5. Central Malaria Laboratory
This lab undertakes examination of slides for detection of malaria and also cross checking of slides received from the various districts of the State. Training of technicians in Central Malaria laboratory is also undertaken.

6. Media Section
This section undertakes preparation and supply of sterile media and diluting fluids like saline, carbonised saline etc. required for various sections of this laboratory with special reference to bacteriology sections, in addition to washing and resterilisation of used and contaminated containers of the different sections.

7. Antirabic Treatment Section
This section is the State Centre for treating the patients who have exposed to the bite of suspected rabid animals. Advice regarding the treatment schedule is also given this section. The BPL vaccine procured from the Pasture Institute of India, Coonoor is given to patients free of cost.

8. Immune Assay Section
This newly formed section taken up a number of investigations based on most modern methodologies, Immuno Assays utilise immunological reactions for the measurement of substances of clinical interest, test like HbsAg, Toxoplasma, TB(IgG). ANA are done here, using Enzyme Immuno Assay Techniques. Thyroid function tests like T3, T4 and TSH are carried out by Radio Immuno Assay. Some of the latest instruments employed in this section are ELISA Reader, Gamma Counter etc. The establishment of a full fledged Immuno Assay Laboratory in the near future has been envisaged.

9. Reagent Manufacturing and Distribution Division
It is a division newly started in place of the former sterile Solution unit. This section is intended for preparation and distribution of reagents and stains of good quality to the various sections of this laboratory and other clinical laboratories of the state. Benedict’s solution, Erlich’s Reagent, Leishman’s Stain, RBC fluid and WBC fluid are some of the reagents now prepared in this section.

10. Store Section
All the timely purchase and storing of chemicals and equipments for the laboratory are being done in this section.

11. MLT Training Section
Although Public Health Laboratory is not basically an academic institution, the facilities available here have been utilized for imparting training in subjects of clinical importance. A two year Medical Laboratory Technician diploma course is now being conducted here. Every year 30 students, who have a basic minimum qualification of pre-degree are admitted for the course.

12. Library
The Library attached to the laboratory has a number of medical books and journals for reference.

13. Administration
Administration is concerned with all the administrative and financial matter of the Laboratory and also the prompt despatch of vaccine, results of the test, reports etc.
To streamline the laboratory services in the whole state of Kerala the Regional and District Public Health Laboratories are functioning.
There are two Regional Laboratories. One at Ernakulam and the other at Kozhikode, which function as reference laboratory to the neighbouring three districts.