OMG: Laddoos at Tirumala Tirupati temple under FSSAI scanner

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has been asked to obtain a license for distribution of laddoo prasadam. 

The famous ladoos of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) scanner.  

The temple which gives ladoos to devotees as 'prasadam' does not have a license from the FSSAI to distribute the food item, and has been directed to get one at the earliest.

How and why the ladoos are under scanner:

An FSSAI letter addressed to the Commissioner of Food Safety, Andhra Pradesh, states that "as per the definition of 'food' under FSS Act, laddoo which is presented as 'prasadam' at the temple is food". It further says that the applicability of the Act is not affected if the food is purchased or distributed free of cost.

The letter then asks TTD to obtain a license to distribute the prasadam. "TTD, therefore, has to obtain a license and, fulfill all the responsibilities of a FBO (food business operator) as stipulated in Section 23 of FSS Act as well as comply with its rules and regulations," the FSSAI letter says.

The letter came on a complaint filed by RTI activist T Narasimha Murthy to the chairperson of FSSAI. In his complaint, he cited "serious lapses in adherence to food safety norms at the temple resulting in "unsafe human consumption".

Questioning the hygiene standards, the RTI activist's letter said, "deficiencies are noticed at all stages, namely manufacture, storage, distribution and sale".

The activist said that the health condition of the employees engaged in making the prasadam is not known nor is it "certified by a competent medical officer".

The letter cited reports of devotees finding "extraneous substances" in the laddoo, such as "bolt nut, key chain, Pan Parag wrapper".

Based on the complaint, state health department officials visited the temple premises to take stock of the hygiene standards of the kitchen. The officials were denied permission to enter the kitchen (potu).

The joint executive officer of TTD denied permission stating that laddoo prasadam cannot be termed food and the transaction of laddoo is not sale under the provisions of the Central Sales tax, 1956.

The TDD official further said that "potu" is an auspicious place where "outsiders cannot be allowed".

Further, in a response to FSSAI chairperson, D Sambasiva Rao, deputy executive officer of TTD, said the temple functions under the provisions of the APCHI&E Act-1987. Under the act, the laddoo prasadam cannot be termed as food.

"A small hotel has a license. Why not the TTD? The laddoos are made and sold in lakhs per day. They are also making money. They have to obtain a license and become a role model for others," said RTI activist Murthy.

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Meerut: With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) is on its toes to make sure that city residents don’t fall prey to adulterated sweets, cakes and other food items consumed during festive time.

A team of five people has been formed to conduct surprise inspections at shops in rural and urban areas to check adulteration and the sale of old items in the market.

The anti-adulteration drive is set to continue until January first week. “The city has been divided into 16 zones and each zone is being headed by a food safety officer. Each officer is keeping an eye on their respective zone and conducting regular inspections so as to keep a check on food items being sold during festive time,” said Anand Dev, chief food safety officer.

“Food items found suspicious during inspections are being sent for laboratory testing. If any sub-standard or unsafe food item is found, the person will be dealt with as per rules,” said Dev.

The samples of the suspicious food items will be sent to Lucknow’s food testing lab to avert any manipulation at the city-based lab. In special cases, however, if food items look way too suspicious they will be sent to the city-based lab from where an immediate report can be sought. The sample reports from the city-based lab can be procured in 48 hours and action can be taken soon after.

The FSDA officials are keeping a close eye on milk-made products, cakes and other sweets – which they say are the main food items that are found adulterated during this time.

“The food items are preserved and sent to Lucknow by means of courier. The result will reach us within 20 days of the courier. We are focusing mainly on artificial colour used in sweets, milk products and cooking oils to keep adulteration under control,” said Dev.

Customers can also file complaints related to food adulteration with the department on the condition of anonymity, said FSDA authorities.

It is to be noted that if any city resident is apprehensive about a certain food item that he or she has already purchased, then they can send it for testing to the food department personally and if found adulterated a complaint can be filed on the condition of anonymity. The sample may be submitted by depositing Rs 1,000 and if found adulterated, a complaint can be filed with FSDA officials, who will take further action on it.

PIL Against Food Adulteration | JK to get 2 Food Safety Appellate Tribunals soon: Govt to HC

In its compliance report, Health and Medical Education Department informed a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey that the department has taken steps for creation of two posts each of Assistant Registrar, senior stenographer, judgment writer, computer operator, rivers, junior assistant, dispatch rider and four posts of orderlies.

The government on Thursday informed Jammu and Kashmir High Court that it has taken necessary steps for creation of various posts for two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals that have been set up at Jammu and here. 

In its compliance report, Health and Medical Education Department informed a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey that the department has taken steps for creation of two posts each of Assistant Registrar, senior stenographer, judgment writer, computer operator, rivers, junior assistant, dispatch rider and four posts of orderlies. 

The court was informed that the department has identified the office accommodation for both the tribunals at Patoli Mangotrian Jammu and Combined Food and Drug Laboratory here. 

The government also apprised the court that the proposal for creation of posts for the two tribunals, involving annual financial implications of Rs 50.44 lakh along with release of Rs 50 lakh for procurement of office furniture, computers, office accessories has been submitted to the finance department for its concurrence. 

Meanwhile, modifying its order of November 25, the bench ordered Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon, Principal and District Judge presently posted as principal secretary to CJ who has been appointed as presiding officer for food safety appellate tribunal Kashmir to join the place of posting within four weeks. 

In response to the request by M K Hanjura who stands appointed as presiding officer, Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Jammu that the period of 21 days granted for joining in terms of SRO 371 be extended till he is relieved by the Government, the court said: “In view of legal position stated, it is provided that the period of joining shall be deemed to have been extended up to the time; he is relieved by this employer or till such time three months notice period expires”. 

Pertinently, J&K government has already appointed presiding officers for two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals one each at Jammu and Srinagar which were constituted in keeping with Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in February this year. 

The District and Sessions Judge , Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon presently Principal Secretary to Chief Justice of J&K High Court and Mahraj Krishan Hanjura, member Company Law Board Delhi have been appointed as presiding officers of Food Safety Tribunal Kashmir and Food Safety Tribunal Jammu respectively.