The devotee also seeks a declaration that it is essential to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory for inspection, sampling, testing and checking the quality of the ingredients used for the preparation of Appam and Aravana.

Bank of Division a Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar issued a notice to Travancore Devaswom Board and FSSAI officials. Standing counsel for the Devaswom Board and counsel appearing for FSSAI sought time to obtain instructions.

The Devaswom Board informed the Court that the ingredients used for preparing the prasadam are procured through an e-auction process conducted every year before the festival season.

In 2023, the High Court restricted the supply of Aravana on the grounds that the cardamom used contained insecticide residues that exceeded the permissible limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

In Travancore Devaswom Board v. Ayyappa Spices (2022), the High Court observed that the Travancore Devaswom Board must ensure that the preparation of Aravana complies with all statutory requirements under the Food Safety Act and regulations at every stage of production, processing, import. , distribution and sale.

In Ayyappa Spices v Travancore Devaswom Board (2023), the High Court noted that the laboratory at Pamba in Sabarimala does not have facilities for testing cardamom and other items as required under the Act and Regulations.

In the appeal filed by the Travancore Devaswom College, the Apex Court set aside the High Court order, based on a FSSAI report, that cardamom was fit for consumption as the presence of pesticides was below permissible limits. The Apex Court also noted that the Travancore Devaswom Board had tested all the samples of cardamom submitted by the bidders.

This issue was posted on November 15th.

Case Number: WP(C) NO. 38049 OF 2024(E)

Case Title: Dr Mahendra Kumar PS v State of Kerala