Food Manifest 
Key Update
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has told the Kerala High Court that it will take corrective measures to address cleaning, sanitation, pest prevention and storage deficiencies that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) identified during inspections of the prasadam production unit at Sabarimala.
FSSAI Finds Multiple Deficiencies
The FSSAI conducted two inspections of the facility in August and gave it 91 out of 182 marks, classifying it as “non-compliant.” Inspectors identified areas that require improvement, including premises and equipment maintenance, pest prevention, storage, sanitation, documentation, food-handler training and audits.
The report also called for better housekeeping and storage practices. It recommended improved cleaning of equipment and utensils, proper segregation and storage of cleaning chemicals, better storage of raw materials and finished products, appropriate stock rotation and proper record-keeping.
Inspectors also found water leakage in parts of the production, packing and storage areas used to prepare Aravana, Appam and Panchamritham. FSSAI directed the TDB to correct the identified non-conformities and submit supporting documents for verification. The Board told the court that it would act on the FSSAI observations and hold further meetings with the authority to review its compliance measures and address the deficiencies.
Sabarimala Food Lab Gets Court Push
The court also considered the proposed establishment of a full-fledged food analysis laboratory at Sabarimala. It directed the Revenue Department Secretary to convene a meeting with the Kerala Food Safety Commissioner and concerned TDB officials.
The meeting will assess the infrastructure, equipment, manpower, accreditation and other statutory and technical needs required to make the laboratory fully operational. The court directed the authorities to finalise the modalities and take expeditious steps to establish the laboratory, citing the need for effective and regular testing of food products and materials associated with the Devaswom.
Source: The Hindustan Times
