Rajansthan News: The Rajasthan government has initiated a statewide prasad quality inspection drive in temples amid growing concerns over the purity of religious offerings. From September 23 to 26, the states Food Safety Department will undertake a campaign to examine the quality and hygiene of prasad distributed at religious sites. This special campaign, called Shuddh Aahar, Milawat Par Vaar (Pure Food, Attack on Adulteration), was launched on February 15, 2024, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.Ensuring quality and safety in prasad and bhogThe campaign aims to inspect temples where prasad, including Savamani (large-scale offering), is prepared daily in the form of bhog for devotees. According to Additional Commissioner of Food Safety, Pankaj Ojha, both the quality of food items and hygiene standards will be scrutinized during this initiative. Samples of prasad will be taken and tested for any signs of adulteration, ensuring the safety of devotees.What is Bhog certification: Ensuring safe food at religious sitesTo further enhance food safety at religious places, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced the Bhog certification program under the Eat Right India initiative. This certification is granted to vendors and religious places that meet high standards of hygiene and food safety in their kitchens. So far, 54 temples in Rajasthan have registered for Bhog certification, with 14 already receiving the certification The Bhog certificate is renewed every six months after a detailed audit by FSSAI officials to ensure ongoing adherence to safety standards.
