The mobile units would go about testing food quality and ensuring the standard of raw materials used. Two mobile units costing Rs 50 lakh each had been deployed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the State. The mobile units will be tested with analysing the quality at eateries across the State. The units would assess the quality as per the protocols of the FSSAI.

The purpose is to check adulteration in food-related establishments, including the ones which own FSSAI licence. The units are equipped with testing devices which can deliver results in a short span of time.

The vehicles will be used to train and create awareness on food hygiene. It will train those working in the food sector and educate them on good handling practices. The training would cover the management of dairy products and other perishables. It will also train them on various procedures in businesses that deal with food handling.

Senior officials from the State Food Safety Department said the two vehicles, one each in Madurai and Chennai, had started functioning and more units would be brought under the initiative. The analysis would be taken up through random sampling. The vehicles will be equipped with devices such as balance, refractometer and sampling kits.

The officials said the vehicles would be used for public outreach programmes. The beneficiaries will be able to access the vehicles and see the various procedures and processes.