Puri Srimandir to enhance food safety measures following Tirupati incident

Bhubaneswar, Sept 27: In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding adulteration of laddus at the Tirupati temple, the Odisha government, along with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), has implemented a routine quality control system at Puri Srimandir, focusing specifically on Mahaprasad and ghee.

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced on Friday that the issues at the Tirupati temple prompted this decision. He emphasized the commitment to maintaining the quality of Mahaprasad and other essential ingredients, such as ghee. “All items will undergo quality checks before entering the temple kitchen and again when Mahaprasad is distributed,” Harichandan stated.

The Minister mentioned that the health department has been instructed to appoint food inspectors, which will be done shortly. Ex-servicemen have already been assigned to oversee operations at Ananda Bazaar. “Food inspectors will be appointed to prevent any allegations similar to those reported at other temples from arising at the Puri Jagannath temple. The government is taking necessary measures to ensure that there is no impurity in Lord Jagannath’s Mahaprasad, and it will remain that way,” he assured.