How a home lab grew into one of Gujarat's biggest and most modern food testing labs
Food is known by its taste, colour and shape, but its true identity lies in what it contains. To find that out, you have to look inside. That is the work of a lab, and in Surat, the Gandhi family runs one of the largest and most modern food testing labs in Gujarat: Polucon Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.
The lab, founded in 1994, sits on 12,000 square feet across four floors near Navjivan Circle on Udhna-Magdalla Road. It is led by Madhukarbhai Gandhi, who was born in 1945, along with his sons, Dr. Devangbhai, an expert in chemistry, and Harshalbhai, an expert in biology.
Polucon tests nutritional value, shelf life, chemicals, microbiology, packaged food, water, toxicology and dairy, as well as pesticides, oils and fats, vegetables, spices, tea, coffee, namkeen, farsan, jam, jelly and chocolate. It even tests construction materials and fuel. It is South Gujarat's first FSSAI-approved food lab, and also holds NABL, MoEF and GPCB recognition. Leading food brands across India use its services.
The Gandhi family's path began with Madhukarbhai's father, Madhusudanbhai, a law graduate and a well-known name in Surat's zari trade. Madhukarbhai earned a B.Sc and worked for a company called BRC, and his sons followed him into science. Devangbhai says they started with a tiny lab at home, then moved to a lab in Belgium Tower, and now run the largest, most modern one in Gujarat.
Devangbhai says speaking the truth is the biggest challenge in the lab. Reporting the real findings can bring pressure, but the family puts ethics first and does not bend. They told the industry plainly that India's food and water standards need work. Many makers add colour, flavour and preservatives to compete, but Devangbhai says no producer wants to harm customers. Food often turns unsafe simply because the maker lacks information, and Polucon's job is to supply it.
The Gandhi family also offers a few simple rules. Madhukarbhai says the more a food is processed, the fewer of its nutrients remain, so choose foods with the least processing. Pouch-packed food is for emergencies, not for children's daily meals. The family has avoided eating out for about 10 years. He also notes that not every home needs an RO system, and the lab will test a family's water, milk or vegetables for free.
The Gandhis give their time to society as well. They offer temples free testing of prasad, and he notes that temples have become more aware. The family is Vaishnav, devoted to Balkrishnalalji, and Madhukarbhai says the Gita is the best book. He says that after a hard period in his life, he began regular temple visits 11 years ago.
Today Devangbhai and Harshalbhai run the whole operation, and Madhukarbhai advises from 10 to 5. Daughters-in-law Hetalben and Nehaben, who teach tuition classes, have built identities of their own. Their view is clear: truth should be told as it is, and a lab is where truth is found.