Offering 'prasadam' without registration banned

Thrissur: Registration with the Food Safety Commissionerate is now mandatory for serving feasts as an offering in temples and churches (‘prasadam oottu’ and ‘ottu nercha’ respectively) . The Food Safety Commissioner has issued an order which bans distribution of any food item from religious places without the registration. Violations in this regard will invite a fine of Rs 5 lakh or imprisonment of up to six months.

The new decision will apply not only to temples and churches but also to mosques. The Food Safety Commissioner had earlier ordered that a licence had to be obtained for distributing food items as ‘prasadam’ through temple counters, but the registration for feasts has been introduced only now.

With the latest order all food items which are offered to devotees will be covered by the registration. The Commissioner has given directives to hold discussions with representatives of religious places in each district in this regard. The meeting in Thrissur district will take place at 11 am on January 30. The District Collector will preside over.

The registration fee for one year is Rs 100 which can be paid online also. A copy of the ID card of the applicant has to be attached with the application, which can be submitted from Akshaya canters too.

The registration procedures are being coordinated by Assistant Food Safety Commissioners and Circle Food Safety Officers.

Food Safety Commissioner's view

1. Quality of the food served as offering (‘prasadam’) from religious places has to be ensured.

2. The bills and vouchers obtained while purchasing the ingredients of the food prepared by religious places have to be documented.

3. Food served as free meals (‘annadanam’), light refreshments and drinking water supplied also need to maintain stipulated safety standards.