Rajasthan Launches Campaign To Ensure Quality Of Temple Offerings Amid Controversy

Rajasthan’s Food Safety Department will launch a special campaign from September 23 to 26 in response to ongoing concerns about the use of animal fat and fish oil in the laddus offered at the Tirupati temple. This initiative aims to assess the quality of bhog and prasad provided in various temples across the state.

Pankaj Ojha, Additional Commissioner of the Food Safety Department, announced that the campaign, titled “Shuddh Aahar, Milawat Par Vaar,” is part of a broader effort that the Chief Minister initiated. During this campaign, samples of Savamani and regularly distributed prasad will undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

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As of now, 54 temples in Rajasthan have applied for a Bhog Certificate, which verifies the quality and safety of food items offered to devotees. The inspection will also evaluate the hygiene practices within temple kitchens. The campaign will be facilitated by notifying relevant departments, and a specialized team will conduct it.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a certification scheme for bhog as part of its ‘Eat Right’ initiative. This program provides certification to vendors at religious sites that adhere to food safety and hygiene standards. The Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur has distinguished itself as the first temple to receive a Bhog Certificate, which guarantees the quality of its offerings.

However, this certificate is subject to renewal every six months following an audit, with FSSAI teams conducting inspections to assess compliance with established standards. The campaign aims to restore confidence in the safety and quality of prasad distributed in temples throughout Rajasthan.