After the incident of fish oil and animal fat in the prasad of the world famous Tirupati Balaji temple, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has started efforts for cleanliness. Under this, apart from Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham, the quality of bhog and prasad in all the temples under BKTC will be monitored from time to time so that the purity and dignity of the bhog prasad system remains as before. During this, emphasis was also laid on preparing SOP for donating and purchasing food items for bhog-prasad.
Meeting discussed
Important decisions were taken in a meeting with the senior officials of Food Safety and Drug Administration and temple committee officials under the chairmanship of Chairman Ajendra Ajay at the BKTC office on Canal Road on Monday. In the meeting, there was a discussion about the quality of Prasad in Dhams and temples, its purity and quality, maintenance, purchase and sale and storage of food items used.
Be more cautious in inspection
In the meeting, it was decided to set standards for storage of food items used in Bhog-Prasad, to be more cautious in checking the authenticity of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, Agmark (farmer symbol) etc. logos of institutions while purchasing spices, oil and ghee, and to ensure that the personnel involved in the preparation of Bhog-Prasad follow the standards related to cleanliness.
It will be monitored from time to time
BKTC President Ajendra Ajay said that it will be monitored from time to time to ensure that the quality of Bhog and Prasad is maintained in temples. BKTC Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal said that dry materials are used as Prasad by the temple committee for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham. The material for the Lord’s offering is mostly obtained from donors. He also appealed to the donors to donate high quality food items for the Lord’s offering.
SOP should be prepared for donation and purchase
Food Safety and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner GC Kandwal said that SOP should be prepared for donation and purchase of food items for Bhog-Prasad. The authenticity of the updated status, validity etc. of the supplier’s food license should be checked. Compliance of guidelines regarding the manufacturer, manufacturing and expiry date, period of use and storage of this food item should be ensured.
Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Nodal Officer of Eat Right India Campaign suggested to give ‘Food Safety Training and Certification’ training in the first phase to give information about food safety standards to the personnel / professionals / persons preparing bhog-prasad. SI FDA Vigilance Jagdish Raturi and Kuldeep Negi etc. were present in the meeting.
Quality of Prasad and other food items kept for sale should be ensured
BKTC Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal said that the Prasad vendors outside the temple premises are not under the control of BKTC. In such a situation, a meeting should be held at the level of district designated officers regarding food license registration, storage and maintenance of food items, manufacturing and expiry date etc. to all those vendors. In which action should be taken to ensure the quality of Prasad and other food items kept for sale.
