Food donors must ensure hygiene, norms: Collector

Madurai: District collector M S Sangeetha has directed those planning to offer food and refreshments to devotees during Chithirai festival to ensure food safety norms are strictly adhered to and that they provide quality and hygienic food. Those donating food should register themselves under FSSAI, she said in a statement.
Around 15 lakh people usually throng the festival which is scheduled from April 28 to May 17 this year. Meenakshi coronation, celestial wedding, chariot procession, and Lord Kallazhagar's entry into river Vaigai are highlights of the festival. It is customary to provide food and refreshments to devotees attending these events. The collector said the food being offered should be prepared in a hygienic manner without adding artificial colouring agents. It should not be served in banned plastic covers or cups. Food covers, plates and cups should be discarded properly after serving and eating. Food waste should be disposed of in corporation bins, said the collector.
Food donors should register on the FSSAI website by paying Rs100. Public can lodge complaints about food quality to the WhatsApp number 9444023222. More information about serving food during the festival can be collected from the food safety department through this number, said the collector.
Meanwhile, corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan inspected the strategic places of the festival, namely the four Chithirai Streets, four Masi Streets, and Alwarpuram area where Lord Kallazhagar would visit, and studied the preparations. The corporation has to set up drinking water and toilet facilities, undertake lighting, road repair, sanitary work, and set up barricades for the festival.