BELLINZONA - The Council of State has appointed dr.Nicola Forrer as the new director of the cantonal laboratory and cantonal chemist replacing dr.Marco Jermini, switched to the pension benefit40 years old, domiciled in Davesco-Soragno, Nicola Forrer graduated in chemical engineering at the Federal Polytechnic of Zurich in 2004 and at the same institute he also obtained a PhD in 2008. He also holds a master's degree in advanced studies (MAS) in food safety and the federal diploma of food chemist.After an experience at a chemical company on the other side of the Alps, in 2014 he returned to Ticino at the Cantonal Laboratory, first as a scientific collaborator and foreman, and from April 2018 as Deputy Director.The dr.Forrer replaces dr.Marco Jermini, who has directed the cantonal laboratory for the last 16 years and who has decided in recent months to switch to the benefit of early retirement.Administrative unit of the Public Health Division of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, the cantonal laboratory is responsible in particular for the implementation of federal and cantonal legislation on foodstuffs and everyday objects as well as the hygiene of bathing water.It has about thirty collaborators, who carry out inspections at the approximately 6,000 food and drinking water companies subject to, analytical activity on samples taken during inspections or presented by bodies and companies in the context of self-control and finally administrative activity in the '' scope of the procedures promoted in the event of non-compliance.The Council of State takes the opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to dr.Marco Jermini for the commitment, competence and availability shown in many years of service at the cantonal administration and expresses his best wishes to dr.Forrer for the new professional challenge, in the name of continuity in favor of the food security of the Ticino population.