Sep 20, 2017
TTD obtains licence formaking laddu, prasadam
Sequel to tough line taken by FSSAI on quality concerns raised by activist
The TTD at last has obtained a central licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for both its famed laddu and the food which it distributes free among the devotees under the Nitya Annaprasadam scheme.
The TTD, which is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory to certify the quality of laddu and other ‘anna prasadams’ being prepared in the temple kitchen on a daily basis, did not have any central licence to run its kitchen. A Bengaluru-based activist, T. Narasimhamurthy filed a complaint with the FSSAI in July last alleging that laddus were being prepared in unhygienic surroundings. The presence of materials such as nuts, bolts and gutkha covers in some laddus sold to devotees pointed to this, he had alleged. Reacting strongly, the FSSAI directed the Central Licensing Authority in Chennai to inspect the temple kitchen and submit a detailed report. The authority made it clear that as laddu is a food item as defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, TTD should obtain the certificate.
The TTD, which initially took objection to the directive on the ground that allowing non-Srivaishnavites into the kitchen would hurt the sentiments of devotees, however changed its mind and applied for the licence last month. Talking to The Hindu the Deputy Executive Officer (Annadanam) Mr. Venugopal confirmed the receipt of the certificate for both laddu as well as ‘anna prasadam.’
Assistant Executive Officer (Potu) Ashok said the TTD had obtained the certificate in the month of August itself.
‘30 lakh temples in India do not adhere to food safety standards’
BENGALURU: "A six-month jail term and a fine of Rs 5 lakh is levied on those operating without licenses,” says T Narasimha Murthy, which is not being followed in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s (TTD) case. He adds that the TTD is prompt in taking their own issues to court, but don’t want to follow any rules themselves. “For example, there was a sweet shop in Chennai called ‘Tirupati Ladoos’. TTD approached the TN High Court and had the shop shut down.”
The way ahead
The TTD has obtained the license (which will have to be renewed each year) for operating as a FBO (Food Business Operator), making Murthy’s fight successful after several threats sent his way to back off over the last few months. “They have finally obtained the license about a month ago. Usually, when the documents are submitted to us and if they are all in place, we issue the license within a day or two,” says Dr M Kannan, southern regional deputy director, Central Licensing Authority, FSSAI. He adds that apart from Murthy’s efforts, the FSSAI has also been trying to get various temples to get licences, and now that TTD has got its, others will follow.
Murthy claims that there are close to 30 lakh temples in the country that do not adhere to food safety standards. “I see the TTD as the Supreme Court, and now that I have succeeded in making them get a license, I can focus on other temples in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and then Golden Temple,” he says adding that RTIs are the best way to get anything done in this country.
When CE contacted TTD, they were unavailable for comment.
Health Min orders Punjab Food Safety admin to crack whip against food adulteration mafia
Chandigarh, Sept 19 (UNI) Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra today issued strict instruction to the State food safety administration to keep an eagle’s eye on the production of food items besides conducting random sampling of the food items and selling of food like sweets, fast food, packed food and bakery items. District Health Officers and assistant food commissioners have been mandated to take stern legal action against such anti social elements who play with the lives of the innocent citizens by selling adulterated food items.
These instructions were issued by the Minister while chairing high level meeting of Food Safety Administration of state and district authorities here. He said that it is a matter of serious concern that many manufactures are indulging in the producing food items using harmful chemical and contaminated ingredients which causes illness to the consumers in the state. He said erring sellers or manufacturer will not spared at any cost and there is no laxity for the mafia who are running the trade of adulterated food items.
Mr Mohindra said that instructions have also been issued to all SSPs to provide security to concerning officers for conducting raids at odd time. He also instructed inter-district teams at head office to conduct the special drive against adulteration in the field. He said that during this drive, special checking point would be set at Punjab’s border areas to break the supply line of adulterated food like khoya, ghee and other food items. He instructed the all officers to ensure that small vendors may not feel harassment on the name of food adulteration.
He said especially, cold stores wherein bulk of food products have been kept, and dedicated places of production like sweet and bakery items must be checked. He said that all cold stores for storage and manufacturing places should be neat and clean. Mr Mohindra said in such cases, where food seems to be unsafe for human consumption, articles of food must be seized and send to the laboratory. The Minister also asked the officers to share the obstacles faced during the raids and sampling for further departmental reforms in the department. He said soon, a dedicated app will be launched by the department to bring transparency in the functioning of food safety department.
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