Kerala High Court Orders Weekly Vigilance Checks on Food Safety at Sabarimala During Pilgrimage Season
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to carry out regular inspections, at least once a week, in all hotels, restaurants, tea stalls, and similar establishments operating at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The order came while hearing a petition filed by the Akhila Bharatheeya Ayyappa Seva Sangam, which sought measures to ensure that food and beverages provided to pilgrims at Sabarimala and Erumeli are hygienic, free from noxious substances, and prepared with safe water—even when offered free of cost.
Expressing strong concern, the bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K. V. Jayakumar noted allegations that certain food stalls in Erumeli had been preparing meals under unhygienic and unhealthy conditions, overlooked by officials deployed during the festival season. The court observed that it was “bewildered and dismayed” at such lapses in ensuring food safety for lakhs of devotees.
The court further directed that before the commencement of each pilgrimage season, the state government must convene meetings of all agencies and departments engaged at Sabarimala to ensure the availability of safe drinking water and hygienic food. The Sabarimala Special Commissioner has also been tasked with reviewing vigilance reports and apprising the court, if required.
In addition, the Food Safety Commissioner has been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
HC directs TDB to blacklist violators of food safety norms.