Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) has started three new tests to check the quality of the food products coming into the market, said a report.

The DCL, which functions under the Dubai Municipality, will focus on three things - products' validity, probing commercial fraud in fresh and cooked meat and detection of bacterial pathogens, reported state news agency Wam, citing a senior official.

The new tests include the ‘Food Shelf Life Service’, which tests the period required for the validity of the food products, as well as the service of ‘Detection of Meat Adulteration’ in raw and cooked meat products, explained Maha Al Hajri, head of food and environment laboratories section, said in a report.

The testing is done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) technique; which additionally provides the service of detection of bacterial pathogens such as salmonella, listeria monocytogenes and E coli O157 using 3M molecular detection system for rapid and specific detection showing results within 42 hours, she stated.

Al Hajri said the DCL was also conducting a new test for detecting commercial fraud in fresh and cooked meat, which is done through the use of immunosuppressive technology associated with the enzyme.

"The third one is for detecting bacterial pathogens such as salmonella bacteria, listeria monocytogenes and E coli using a molecular detection technique with precision and speed showing results within 42 hours," she added.

Al Hajri said these new tests are aimed at ensuring the quality and safety of products as per the ISO 17025 laboratory standards and making the market free of commercial frauds and pathogens that lead to food poisoning.

The launch of the new tests is a reflection of DCL’s strategy to provide testing services to various categories of customers, and thus achieve the vision of Dubai Municipality, building a happy and sustainable city, she added.