Report

As the annual palkhi procession begins, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune, has launched an extensive food safety drive to monitor and regulate temporary food stalls and prasad distribution along the wari route. FDA officials aim to prevent foodborne illnesses, especially during the monsoon, when the risk of contamination increases. FDA has deployed two inspection teams, each with six to seven food safety officers, to conduct pre-emptive checks along the two starting routes of the wari. These teams will carry out inspections until the procession reaches Indapur and Nira, after which officials from neighbouring regions will take over.

FDA officers are inspecting hygiene practices, food quality, and the oil and water used in food preparations. They are also collecting samples and sending them for laboratory testing wherever required, according to FDA Pune’s Joint Commissioner (Food), Suresh Annapure.

FDA Targets Prasad and Reused Cooking Oil

FDA teams are examining the prasad distributed to devotees for quality and safety. They are using Total Polar Compounds (TPC) meters to determine how many times vendors have reused cooking oil, as repeated reuse poses health risks. The teams are conducting daily field tests and closely monitoring oil usage on the ground.

Monsoon Prompts Broader Inspections

With the onset of monsoon, FDA has expanded inspections to cover roadside eateries and food stalls across Pune. Officers are actively identifying sub-standard food, checking hygiene practices, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Local residents have also expressed concern about monsoon-related food risks. One such resident from Pashan, Abhishek Sharma, said that regular inspections can significantly reduce the availability of unsafe food, and stressed that hygiene in raw materials should also be closely checked. In response to seasonal concerns, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has advised citizens to boil drinking water before use.

FDA Continues Year-Round Vigilance

Earlier this summer, FDA collected 50 samples from ice cream, mango juice, and ice gola vendors in Pune. In cases where adulteration was found, the agency initiated punitive action. FDA Pune has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health—not just during the palkhi—but also by ensuring year-round compliance with food safety standards, especially during high-risk monsoon months.

About the Palkhi Procession

The Palkhi procession is a revered annual spiritual pilgrimage in Maharashtra. Devotees walk from Dehu and Alandi to Pandharpur, carrying the padukas (sandals) of saints Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar. Covering more than 200 km, the procession attracts thousands of Warkaris and is a vibrant celebration of faith, devotion, and tradition, even amidst the monsoon rains.

Source: The Times of India