Mysuru: The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) refused to test Maggi samples citing Jurisdictional issues. According to the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 section 43 (2) the CFTRI can test the samples that are of Kolkata, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Dadar and Haveli, Puducherry. The State Health Department now has to now rely on the seven NABL-accredited private and four FSSAI-identified divisional laboratories.

Head, Information and Publicity, CFTRI P Ramesh said, “Dr Asha Martin, Head of CFTRI’s Food and Analytical Quality Control Laboratory, had suggested to the Food Safety Officer of Mysuru to send the samples to the Chief Food Analyst of State Public Health Institute in Bengaluru and Regional Food Analysis Laboratory in Mysuru.”

Ramesh also stated that the directions must come from Union ministry of health and family welfare to FSSAI and then to then to the labs. The four centres in the country are at Kolkata, Mysuru, Pune and Ghaziabad. The jurisdiction of the Karnataka comes under Kolkata and it can either be tested there or by the seven labs in the state.

According the sources, the manufacturer can approach the divisional labs through ministry or can test the samples if the results tested at the accredited labs vary. In regard to it, CFTRI director Dr Ram Rajasekharan is holding a press meet.