Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir to get FSSAI ‘Eat at the right place’ label, says report; this is how certification works | Today’s news
Ram Temple in Ayodhya is all set to get the ‘Eat Right Place’ recognition from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), according to a News18 report.
This comes on the heels of an assessment of food safety, hygiene and quality standards maintained for the prasad distributed and sold on the temple premises.
How does the Eat Right Place of Worship certification work?
The Eat Right Places of Worship (PoW) initiative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seeks to improve food safety and hygiene standards in religious institutions. Under the programme, temples, gurdwaras, mosques and other places of worship are encouraged to adopt safe practices in the preparation and serving of prasad, langar and other food.
Certification process
A place of worship seeking Right Place of Worship/BHOG recognition must first have a valid FSSAI registration or license under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The premises or relevant food handlers must comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
Read also | ₹4 cr donation with ₹3 in account: Check to Ayodhya Ram Mandir bounces
The institution then undergoes a pre-audit, which includes checking its food safety practices against the hygiene requirements prescribed by the FSSAI.
Food handlers and cooks are also required to undergo training through FSSAI-led partners under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme. The training includes a Basic Nutrition course and focuses on safe food handling.
Read also | Ram Mandir donation case: Former general secretary Champat Rai was given a clean puppy
After that, an audit agency recognized by FSSAI will conduct a third-party inspection in areas such as kitchens, storage areas and food serving areas. Any deficiencies identified during the audit must be addressed with corrective actions.
Once the required food safety and hygiene standards are met, a place of worship will receive BHOG certification under the Eat Right Place of Worship initiative.
How long is the certification valid?
The Eat Right Place of Worship certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue.
The CCPA imposes ₹1 lakh fine for Amazon sellers
Meanwhile, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in August imposed a ₹1,000,000 CZK fine to Amazon Seller Services, the marketplace arm of e-commerce giant Amazon, for allegedly allowing the sale of sweets with the misleading description “Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad”.
“The CCPA hereby imposes a fine ₹1,00,000/- to the opposite party (Amazon seller) for publishing misleading advertisements on its platform,” in violation of e-commerce rules, 2020, the CCPA said in an order issued on August 4 this year, according to PTI.
The authority also ordered Amazon Seller Services to ensure that “no product falsely claiming to be ‘prasad’, ‘prasadam’, ‘mahaprasad’, ‘bhog’ or any similar religious offering” associated with the religious institutions and shrines listed in the order, “will be listed, hosted, advertised, exhibited or offered for sale on its platform without verifiable permission from the concerned institution”.
Amazon presents a framework including 10 religious institutions
Amazon submitted a framework covering 10 major religious institutions and shrines, including Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Shri Jagannath Temple, Shri Kedarnath Temple, Shri Shri Dwarid Somhrnath Temple, Shri Shri Dwarid Somhrith Temple, and Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple.
The CCPA, in its 19-page order, said the phrase “Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad” has a specific and widely understood meaning among Hindu devotees to refer to the sacred food offered and blessed by the deity at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Read also | Parliament continues deadlock as Oppn targets center | Watch
“Commercial appropriation of this term for common confectionery products without any permission from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is not only a misleading trade practice under the CP Act but an insult to the religious sentiments of millions of consumers,” the CCPA said.
A show cause notice was issued before consecrating the Ram Mandir
The CCPA issued a Show Cause Notice to Amazon on the same day, three days before the Ram Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024. The notice alleged violations of the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules 2020 and the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Amazon removed the listings after receiving notice. The company said it is only an intermediary and is therefore entitled to the protection of safe harbor under Section 79 of the IT Act, citing the Supreme Court’s judgment in Shreya Singhal v Union of India.
