About us
| Company
In 2009, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) established the Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) in Anand. Initially, the laboratory focused on testing animal feed and milk & milk products, covering compositional, nutritional, and microbiological parameters. Over time, CALF enhanced its capabilities with state-of-the-art instruments to address contaminants such as pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, aflatoxins, and dioxins. The scope of testing was also expanded to include fruits, vegetables, fats and edible oils, honey, water, beverages, and nutraceuticals. Additionally, CALF developed facilities for genetic testing and bovine disease diagnosis to support breed improvement programs and the needs of semen stations.
In February 2023, CALF was incorporated as a company under the Companies Act 2013 and is now known as NDDB CALF Limited. It operates as a 100% subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
We offer an extensive
range of analytical
and diagnostic testing
services. We also
organise training and
auditing programmes.
Progress overtime
In its early years, CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food) established its expertise in testing within the dairy industry and focused on enhancing its testing capabilities of dairy products.
The laboratory rapidly developed its core strengths in analysing animal feed, milk and milk products, disease diagnostics, as well as genetic and genomic testing, in response to the evolving needs of the dairy sector.
CALF achieved its first NABL accreditation under ISO 17025 in 2013, covering approximately 200 tests. This accreditation has been renewed periodically, and the current accredited scope includes around 5,000 tests across various analytical fields.
In 2014, CALF reached a significant milestone by becoming a Referral Laboratory (RL) for milk and milk products under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This was followed by its designation as a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for dairy and dairy products by FSSAI in 2019. As an NRL, the laboratory introduced Proficiency Testing (PT) services in 2021.
Over time, CALF has expanded its testing capabilities to include honey, edible fats and oils, fruits, vegetables, and water, meeting the diverse needs of the food industry. NDDB CALF was among the pioneers in the country to establish unique facilities, such as those for honey authenticity testing and dioxin analysis.
Today, NDDB CALF operates as a multi-disciplinary analytical laboratory based in NDDB Anand. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by a skilled technical team, it provides a wide range of reliable and accurate analytical services across dairy products, food, fruits, vegetables, animal feed, and genetics. NDDB CALF adheres to a quality management system based on ISO 17025, ensuring operational integrity and confidentiality in all its services.
Vision
To become India’s most trusted Food Testing and Analytical Research Centre for customers by adopting highest professional standards and sustainable business strategies. Support government agencies on technical and development initiatives in the best interest of the nation.
Mission
To serve the society by contributing to a safe and healthy world through advanced analytical science and innovation.
Core Values
Client Value Creation, Integrity and Respect for the Individual — shape the culture and define the character of NDDB CALF LTD. They serve as a foundation in how we act and make decisions pertaining to our team members, customers, suppliers and all other people we interact with.
| Board of Directors
Dr. Meenesh C Shah
Chairman
Shri S Regupathi
Director
Shri Rajesh Subramaniam
Managing Director
Dr. Rajesh R Nair
Dy. Managing Director
Dr. Rajiv Chawla
Director
| Infrastructure
Residue Laboratory
Residue laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment to cater to the needs of dairy, feed and food industry for analysis of residues, contaminants, vitamins in food and agricultural products, Animal feed, water, marine and sea food, etc. The lab is equipped with LCMSMS, GCMSMS, HPLC, ICPMS and ICPOES.
Wet Chemistry Laboratory
Wet chemistry laboratory is having infrastructure to analyse quality and compositional parameters in milk, milk products, edible oils, fats, honey and water. It is equipped with UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, Automatic fat analyser, automatic protein analyser, automatic fiber analyser and refractometer.
Microbiology Laboratory
Our microbiology laboratory has a scope of testing of Food and agricultural products, animal feed, marine products, water etc. and is equipped with specialised equipment like TEMPO, VIDAS for rapid detection of pathogens and non-pathogens. The Lab is also equipped with all essential equipment such as incubators, autoclaves, and biosafety cabinets for microbial culture and isolation.
Genetics
Genetics laboratory has a scope of testing of blood and semen samples for parentage verification, karyotyping and genetic disorders in cattle and buffaloes and GMO testing in food and agricultural products. We also conduct diagnostic testing for diseases in bovine population. The lab is equipped with genetic analyser, RT PCR, PCR work station, DNA extraction unit, etc.
Honey Testing Laboratory
The lab is country’s first testing facility to test Honey as per FSSAI standards. We have facility to test physiochemical, authenticity and safety parameters in Honey as per FSSAI and Importing country regulations. We can test authenticity of honey using LC-IRMS & EA-IRMS, antibiotics and, heavy metals as per FSSAI regulation, pesticides residues as per EIC-RMP and general chemical tests.
| Sustainability
As a responsible, sustainable business unit, NDDB CALF LTD. takes into account and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives work, feel welcome and safe. The company takes a long-term perspective – focusing on anticipating and adapting to change in both the present and future.
NDDB CALF LTD. manages its human, natural, and financial capital to meet current needs while ensuring that adequate resources are available for future generation.
We understand that climate change, income inequality, and social injustice are the biggest threats to building a strong, sustainable business. Hence, these challenges define our current priorities and policies.
| Quality Policy
CALF is committed to provide high quality testing services, value-added training and R&D support services to meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements while implementing a quality management system as per ISO/IEC 17025.
CALF ensures customer satisfaction by providing accurate and reliable test results while maintaining impartiality, integrity and confidentiality in its operations.
| Accreditations & Recognitions
- NDDB CALF Ltd. was accredited in 2013 by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) as per ISO/IEC 17025 (vide certificate no. TC-11516). This accreditation is periodically renewed for both chemical and biological testing. The biological scope includes microbiology and genetics testing.
- We are also accredited by NABL for Proficiency Testing (PT) services as per ISO 17043 (vide certificate no. PC-1068)
- NDDB CALF Ltd. is recognised as a Primary Food Testing Laboratory, Referral Laboratory (RL) and National Reference Laboratory (NRL) by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- NDDB CALF has been recognised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), APEDA and Export promotion Council of India(EIC) for analysis of Food, Agricultural products and Water.
