Report on visit to the FICCI Research and Analysis Centre

A visit of laboratory  had been organized by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics under the series of industrial educational visits being conducted for the benefits of students. Students  of MSc- Nutrition and Dietetics along with faculty member Dr. Divya Sanghi, Assistant Professor visited,“FICCI Research and Analysis Centre, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi on 9th February 2017.The main objective of institutional visit is to provide students an insight of the practical applications of what they are learning in theory because; theoretical knowledge is not enough for making a good professional career. It provides students with an opportunity to learn practically through interaction and working methods. The main objective of visit was to provide practical exposure and recent advancements in food analysis. The faculty member and students were guided and educated by Dr. Sujata Pandit (R&D),FICCI.

FICCI Research & Analysis Centre (FRAC) was started to provide analytical services to all the industries; undertake research and development for quality improvement; help in providing quality to the consumers and raising the general standards of purity particularly in the small-scale sectors. FRAC is dedicated exclusively to analysis and research following ISO/IEC 17025:2005 International Standards. Certified quality assurance and control programme ensures that Test Results remain consistent across samples. FRAC establishes a Quality Policy which is followed strictly by all employees of FRAC, engaged in testing and analysis of products and providing test certificates to customers.

The FICCI has 3 laboratories inside the premises such as Instrumentation, Wet chemistry and microbiology lab. The students visited all the laboratories and learned about all the  Instruments like HPLC to test vitamins, preservatives, NOTS, antioxidants, artificial sweeteners, pungency; Gas Chromatograph to test pesticides, cholesterol; ICP-OES to test heavy metals and metals; FTIR to test characterization and mineral oil; Gamma counter for testing radioactivity.

It was a great learning experience for the students to know the working culture of laboratories and the working of the instruments. Overall it was an information opportunities for practical exposure to our students.