The Mobile Plant Food Safety Laboratory is expected to be fully operational by May and will serve adjacent areas in Metro Manila as its first stop As the demand for…

The Mobile Plant Food Safety Laboratory is expected to be fully operational by May and will serve adjacent areas in Metro Manila as its first stop

As the demand for food safety grows, the Philippines Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) sought to bring government services related to food safety closer to consumers and stakeholders with the inauguration of the country’s first-ever mobile plant food safety laboratory held at the DA-BPI compound in Malate, Manila.

Equipped with advanced testing tools, the state-of-the-art facility has a modular set-up that could accommodate rapid screening and testing for pesticide residue, heavy metals and microbiological contaminants in plant-origin food products.

“This laboratory-on-wheels brings the tools of food safety directly to our agricultural communities, enabling proactive monitoring and immediate intervention. Its mobility ensures flexibility and accessibility, allowing us to reach even the most remote areas and respond promptly to emerging crises,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said as the DA-BPI unveiled the mobile lab and testing unit.

The Mobile Plant Food Safety Laboratory is expected to be fully operational by May and will serve adjacent areas in Metro Manila as its first stop.