FSDA launches BHOG project to make prasad safer

To ensure that devotees get hygienically prepared and healthy and safe prasad, langar, bhandara and bhog at places of worship, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has launched ‘Blissful Hygienic Offering to God’ (BHOG) project in the city.

Designated officer FSDA, Lucknow Shailendra Kumar Singh said, “Religious places are an integral part of Indian society and food served at these places is considered pure. But one has to take care of safety too. The FSDA wants all religious places to maintain hygiene while preparing prasad. That is why vendors selling prasad outside temples will be trained to prepare it hygienically.”

He said, “In the first phase, we have selected four Hanuman Setu, Aliganj Hanuman Temple , Mankameshwar temple, Gulacheen temple in Aliganj and Gurudwara Ashiana where our staff would train prasad and bhog vendors as per food safety regulations. Our aim is to create awareness about good practices right from purchasing raw material to serving the food. We just want them to follow some simple things. For instance, cooks who prepare laddoos would be expected to wear gloves, aprons or caps, clean the utensils daily and use quality food material.”

The Food Safety and Drug Administration will also give certificate after testing the prasad prepared by the shops in front of these temples. The quality report would be shared with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and those not following the norms will face action.

Singh said, “The project was conceived in 2015 when Sanjeev Patil , the CEO of Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Maharashtra found that the foreign pilgrims were skeptical about the cleanliness of the prasad and refused to eat it. The first pilot project was started at Siddhivinayak temple.”

“The project doesn’t aim to interfere in the daily work of temples. The FSDA just wants to train prasad handlers and vendors to follow FSDA and FSSAI standards when it comes to preparing edibles.”

Singh further said , “FSDA would be doing routine inspection of temple kitchens . However, some temples are skeptical about the whole concept of inspection of their kitchen, but we can assure everyone that the department will only guide them for safe food practices , not interfere in their daily activities.”

However, a temple officebearer said on condition of anonymity, “Temples already take care of hygiene whenever the bhandaras are organised but if anyone wants to add to safety methods he is welcome. However, they cannot dictate terms to temples when it comes to preparation of bhog.”