Kochi: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has informed the Kerala High Court that it will take steps to correct the deficiencies in cleaning, sanitation, pest prevention and storage identified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) during its inspections of the prasadam production unit at Sabarimala and ensure that the required standards are progressively achieved.
In a report submitted by the FSSAI following two inspections of the establishment in August this year, the prasadam production establishment was given 91 marks out of a maximum of 182, and the result was recorded as ‘non-compliance’.
A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar noted that the assessment had identified specific areas requiring corrective action and subsequent verification.
“It is stated that, during the inspections, the FSSAI identified areas where further improvement and corrective action were required, particularly with regard to certain aspects of the premises, maintenance and design, pest prevention, storage arrangements, cleaning and sanitation, maintenance of equipment, documentation and record keeping, food handler training and audit related requirements.”
“Insofar as housekeeping and storage arrangements are concerned, it is stated that the inspection noted the need for improved cleaning of equipment and utensils, appropriate segregation and storage of cleaning chemicals, better storage of raw materials and finished products, appropriate stock rotation and maintenance of corresponding records,” the High Court noted.
The FSSAI report also found water leakage in portions of the production, packing and storage areas of ‘Aravana’, ‘Appam’ and ‘Panchamritham’.
The court noted that the TDB had been directed by the FSSAI to rectify the non-conformities identified during the inspection and furnish supporting documentary evidence for verification by the competent authority.
The TDB told the court that the inputs and observations received from the FSSAI would be duly considered and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.
The Board also submitted that further meetings would be held with the FSSAI to review the compliance measures, address the deficiencies identified during the inspections and ensure that the required standards are progressively achieved.
On the issue of establishing a full-fledged food analysis laboratory at Sabarimala, the court directed the Secretary to the Government, Revenue (Devaswoms) Department, to convene a meeting with the Food Safety Commissioner, Kerala, and the concerned officers of the TDB and undertake regular follow-up with all concerned.
The meeting shall consider the infrastructure, equipment, manpower, accreditation and other statutory and technical requirements necessary for establishing and making the Food Analysis Laboratory fully functional.
“The concerned authorities shall work out the modalities and take expeditious steps for setting up the laboratory at the earliest, keeping in view the need for effective and regular testing of food products and materials associated with the Devaswom,” the bench said.