📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Pooja Jadhav
Religion
Mumbai Ganesh Mandals Urge Maharashtra FDA to Issue Clear Mahaprasad Safety Guidelines
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 08 Sep 2026, 02:37 AM
👁 5
Ganesh mandals in Mumbai have voiced support for food‑safety initiatives and are asking the Maharashtra Food and Drug Authority to publish detailed standard operating procedures for preparing mahaprasad.
Several Ganesh mandals across Mumbai have formally endorsed the state’s recent food‑safety drive, emphasizing the need for transparent guidelines on the preparation of mahaprasad, the sanctified offering distributed during the Ganesh festival.
The mandal representatives said they welcome the Maharashtra Food and Drug Authority’s broader push to ensure that all food served in public gatherings meets hygienic standards. However, they pointed out that the lack of a specific SOP for mahaprasad leaves organizers uncertain about permissible ingredients, cooking methods and storage practices.
In a joint statement, the mandals urged the FDA to issue a clear, step‑by‑step protocol that aligns religious traditions with modern safety norms. They stressed that such guidelines would help prevent contamination while preserving the cultural sanctity of the offering.
The Maharashtra FDA has previously issued advisories on street‑food hygiene and mass‑catering events. Officials indicated that they are reviewing the mandals’ request and will consider drafting a dedicated mahaprasad SOP in the coming weeks.
If finalized, the guidelines could become a benchmark for all religious festivals in the state, ensuring that devotees receive food that is both spiritually and physically safe.
The mandal representatives said they welcome the Maharashtra Food and Drug Authority’s broader push to ensure that all food served in public gatherings meets hygienic standards. However, they pointed out that the lack of a specific SOP for mahaprasad leaves organizers uncertain about permissible ingredients, cooking methods and storage practices.
In a joint statement, the mandals urged the FDA to issue a clear, step‑by‑step protocol that aligns religious traditions with modern safety norms. They stressed that such guidelines would help prevent contamination while preserving the cultural sanctity of the offering.
The Maharashtra FDA has previously issued advisories on street‑food hygiene and mass‑catering events. Officials indicated that they are reviewing the mandals’ request and will consider drafting a dedicated mahaprasad SOP in the coming weeks.
If finalized, the guidelines could become a benchmark for all religious festivals in the state, ensuring that devotees receive food that is both spiritually and physically safe.