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Cotecna announced on September 2 that Geo-Chem India had formally inaugurated its new state-of-the-art food safety laboratory in Navi Mumbai. The event brought together Sebastien Dannaud, group CEO of Cotecna, Amit Chopra, CEO for South Asia and the Middle East, Avinash Maheshwari, CEO of Geo-Chem India, and other senior leaders along with technical experts and laboratory staff. The opening forms part of broader efforts to address rising demand for rigorous testing as India plays a larger role in international food supply chains.
The facility’s testing menu covers pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, contaminants, additives, allergens, microbiological parameters, food contact materials, GMOs and fumigation residues, the announcement detailed. It additionally provides hygiene and environmental monitoring while conducting research and development on new analytical methods and bespoke customer requirements. Built to European standards with pharmaceutical-grade practices, the laboratory boosts sample throughput and introduces capabilities for PFAS, dioxins and radioactivity.
Sebastien Dannaud highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian market in the company announcement. “India is one of the world’s most dynamic food markets and an increasingly important player in global food supply chains,” he said. “The opening of our new Geo-Chem laboratory in Mumbai reflects Cotecna’s commitment to investing in the expertise, technology and infrastructure needed to support the food industry’s evolving challenges.” He added that expanded capabilities help customers strengthen quality assurance, meet regulatory requirements and access markets with confidence.
Avinash Maheshwari described the development as a key step for Geo-Chem India’s operations in the press release. “This new facility marks an important milestone in Geo-Chem India’s journey and reflects our commitment to strengthening food safety through world-class infrastructure, advanced technology and scientific excellence,” he stated. The food division already serves more than 850 clients, employs over 200 professionals and handles more than 100,000 samples per year while ranking among the top five spice testing laboratories in India according to the World Spice Organisation.
An IMARC Group report placed the Indian food safety testing market at $831.6 million in 2024 with a projection to reach $1.799.4 million by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate of 8.92 percent.[[1]](https://www.imarcgroup.com/india-food-safety-testing-market?utm) A separate analysis published by the Times of India found that nearly one in five food samples tested across the country in 2025-26 was non-conforming, with only 4.8 percent of violations resulting in convictions. These figures point to sustained demand for independent laboratory services that can deliver accurate, timely results to regulators, exporters and food businesses.
Geo-Chem India joined the Cotecna Group in 2022, after which it secured multiple international approvals including from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety the following year. The company’s laboratory network has grown from its original base in Mumbai with additional sites established in recent years to serve domestic and export-oriented clients. Its services now span food, agriculture and related sectors with a focus on compliance with both Indian standards and global trade requirements.
