Thiruvananthapuram, August 15
The Kerala Government has proposed a comprehensive three-tier testing system for ghee offered by devotees at the Sabarimala temple amid concerns over its quality and safety.
Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan, in a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president on Saturday, directed the board to strengthen quality-control measures before the forthcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
The Minister proposed setting up a joint laboratory involving the Health, Food Safety and Forensic Medicine departments. The testing facility could function from the hospitals at Sannidhanam and Pamba, enabling the authorities to examine ghee and other food products without delay.
Under the proposed arrangement, Food Safety officials would check samples for adulteration, while the Health Department would test them for contamination. Experts from the Forensic Medicine Department would examine whether the samples contained any toxic substances.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims bring ghee as an offering to Sabarimala every year. The ghee is first deposited in designated collection vessels and later transferred to six storage tanks. It is subsequently used to prepare appam and aravana, the temple’s principal prasadam items.
Muraleedharan directed officials to collect samples whenever any of the six tanks was filled. Three samples should be taken from each tank during every round of inspection.
The first sample would be tested immediately at Sabarimala. The second would be sent to a central laboratory jointly operated by the three departments, while the third would be securely stored in a freezer. The preserved sample could be examined if any dispute arose or further investigation became necessary.
The Minister asked the TDB to ensure that the laboratory became operational before the pilgrimage season. The board was also instructed to provide funds for equipment and arrange essential facilities, including electricity and water.
Muraleedharan said safeguarding the health of pilgrims was a shared responsibility of the State Government and the TDB.
