Ram Mandir in Ayodhya Certified as ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ by FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has certified the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya as an ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’, recognising its compliance with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.

In a statement on Sunday, the regulator said the certificate would remain valid for two years, from October 11, 2026, to October 10, 2028. FSSAI chief executive officer Rajit Punhani handed over the certificate at a ceremony in Ayodhya on Saturday.

The ‘Eat Right Places of Worship’ initiative encourages religious institutions to follow food safety and hygiene practices for food prepared or distributed on their premises, including prasad and langar. It also seeks to raise awareness among devotees and food handlers and promote compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules.

According to FSSAI, the certification process includes a preliminary audit using a prescribed checklist, followed by food-safety training and a final audit conducted by an empanelled third-party agency or hygiene-rating auditor. The programme’s official portal lists registration, pre-audit, training, final audit and certification as its five main steps.

Food handlers can receive training through the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme, which is delivered by FSSAI-empanelled training partners. The initiative also covers relevant food vendors associated with a place of worship, including those selling prasad and other food items.

FSSAI says the programme is intended to help places of worship identify gaps in food handling and improve compliance through training and audits. Its guidelines provide information on recommended practices and steps for maintaining food safety and hygiene.

The certification of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra was listed on FSSAI’s official Eat Right Places of Worship awards page on October 11. The listing identifies the temple trust in Uttar Pradesh as a newly certified place of worship.

The Ram temple’s consecration ceremony for the new Ram Lalla idol was held on January 22, 2024. The latest certification relates specifically to food safety and hygiene standards under FSSAI’s programme.