Founded in 1918, NIN has attained global recognition for its pioneering studies on various aspects of nutrition research, with special reference to protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Institute’s activities are broad-based, encompassing the whole area of food and nutrition. The Institute has achieved close integration in its research activities between the laboratory, the clinic and the community. The Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre ( FDTRC), located at NIN, is today a major national centre for insightful research in fungal toxins, pesticide residues, food additives, heavy metals, pharmacokinetics , diet & chronic degenerative disorders and nutrient-drug interactions. The Centre is also engaged in environmental monitoring as well as biomonitoring to study human exposures to carcinogens/toxins in the environment and their biological impact. Currently NIN & FDTRC assumed a major role in conducting biosafety evaluation of various pharmaceutical and recombinant drugs and pre-market safety assessment and testing of genetically modified foods.