Amidst the controversy over the preparation of appam for the Sabarimala pilgrims, the Food Safety Commissioner on Tuesday submitted before the Kerala High Court that reports on distribution of fungus-infected appam prasadam to pilgrims at Sabarimala, were true.
The Food Safety Commissioner made the submission based on the results obtained from Pathanamthitta District Food Testing Laboratory. According to the technical assistant of the lab, prasadam was being prepared in an unhygienic manner and without considering the standards stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
A big quantum of appam was withdrawn and destroyed last week at the temple after fungal infection was found. The Food Safety officer inspected the appam store and the packing area and prepared a mahazar. Based on the reports, the FSC visited the Sannidhanam and inspected the plant. The Commissioner pointed that, without considering the required space and storage facilities, huge quantity of appam is being prepared and dumped without timely packing and proper storage. This has badly affected the shelf life of appam. “At present there is no mechanism to pack appam on a ‘first-in-first-out’ basis. The packets lack batch number, manufacturing date or any other identification mark to find out the date of preparation,” he said.
The contract was given to three individuals and their labourers are engaged in the activities. “It is not known whether the labourers have sufficient skill and previous experience in preparing and packing huge quantities of appam. They are dumped in open space on the floor and tables. This is also a reason for fungal infestation,” the Commissioner said. The TDB officials stated that, in the previous years, they used less quantity of plantains with a view to ensuring shelf life. However this year they mixed 20 Kadalippazham and 20 Poovampazham in ‘one koottu.’ The FSC said that more quantity of plantains might be the reason for the fungal infection. The FSC also suggested that cleaning of the premises before storing newly prepared appam is essential.