Kerala High Court bats for full-fledged lab at Pamba to test quality of food served at Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court recently said that it was high time that a full-fledged food testing laboratory was established at Pamba to ensure prompt quality checks of Aravana, Appam (sacred food offerings) and other food items supplied at the Sabarimala temple [Dr Mahendra Kumar PS v The State of Kerala & ors and connected case].

A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar took note of concerns that the existing food testing laboratory at Pamba was not equipped to conduct a detailed and continuous testing of such food items.

The Court was told that samples of food items had to be transported to laboratories at Pathanamthitta or Thiruvananthapuram for analysis. The Court observed that such an arrangement was not enough to ensure fast and effective quality control of the food items at Sabarimala.

"We are of the considered view that it is high time that a fully fledged and comprehensive food testing laboratory is established at Pamba itself, so that the requisite tests can be conducted there without delay, thereby ensuring strict compliance with food safety standards," the Court added.

By its August 14 order, the Court has now asked the State government to examine the feasibility of setting up such a food testing lab at Pamba.

"Instructions shall also be obtained as regards the infrastructure, manpower and other requirements necessary for setting up such a facility, so that food testing can be carried out at Pamba itself and the highest standards of food safety are effectively maintained. The time frame within which such a facility can be commenced at Pampa shall also be stated," the Court directed.

The Court's order came on a petition filed by Dr Mahendra Kumar PS and a suo motu case concerning food safety arrangements at Sabarimala.

Dr Kumar, in his petition, had sought directions to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and other authorities to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the procurement, quality checking and analysis of food items at Sabarimala.

During the hearing, counsel for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed the Court that an inspection was carried out at Sabarimala on August 11, pursuant to the Court's earlier directions.

However, the inspection could not be completed as the temple remained closed on that day.

FSSAI further submitted that its officers would conduct a detailed inspection immediately after re-opening of the temple and place a comprehensive report before the Court.

The TDB's counsel, meanwhile, informed the Court about the limitations of the food laboratory currently functioning at Pamba. In response, the Court suggested that a full-fledged food testing laboratory should be established at Pamba.

The matter will be heard next on September 14, by when the State is expected to respond to the Court's suggestion.

Advocates KR Rajkumar, Jagadeesh Lakshman, Aromalunni MS, RK Rakesh, Nandana Babu T and Sreelakshmi PS appeared for the petitioner.

Standing counsel G Biju appeared for the TDB.

Standing counsel Chithra P George represented the FSSAI.

[Read Judgment]