Ahead of the Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations in Bengaluru, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked all Ganesh pandal organisers to only distribute prasadam certified by the food safety department. They have asked the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure that all pandals in the city have FSSAI certification. This new regulation has been put in place to ensure the quality of food products and hygiene during the pandals. Scroll on to know more.
New Regulation Require FSSAI Certification For Ganesh Pandals In Bengaluru
FSSAI has mandated that all prasadam given out at Ganesha pandals in Bengaluru must be certified by them. As Ganesha Chaturthi approaches, several pandals have been erected in the city and to ensure the safety and quality of prasadam, the FSSAI issued this regulation. They have written a letter to BBMP to ensure that all pandals in the city have these certifications.
As per The Hans India, in its communications, FSSAI has emphasised the importance of maintaining hygiene and food quality standards during the festivities. Therefore, they have asked pandal organisers to secure FSSAI certification in addition to the usual permits from local authorities.
If a Ganesh pandal in Bengaluru fails to comply with this requirement, FSSAI will take strict measures against them. The main aim of this regulation is to ensure that the devotees at these pandals are served quality prasadam with safety standards in place.
Other Important Requirements That Organisers Need To Know About
Besides securing FSSAI certification, Ganesh pandal organisers in Bengaluru also have to keep the following requirements in mind –
1. They have to obtain usual permits from local authorities such as the police, BBMP, and BESCOM before installing idols in public spaces.
2. As per the orders of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, organisers will also have to follow specific environmental guidelines for the pandals.
3. They have to install CCTV cameras, and fire extinguishers, and display emergency contact numbers at the venue at all times for safety reasons.
4. They also require a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the fire brigade along with all necessary approvals from Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited for electrical wiring and decorations.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi: 7 Ganesha Temples In Bengaluru To Visit This Ganesh Chaturthi
This is a much-needed step by the FSSAI to ensure food safety at the Ganesh Pandals in Bengaluru! Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia & Canva (representative image)
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