Golden Temple cooks to attend Centre’s Workshop on Hygiene
Golden Temple cooks to attend Centre’s workshop on hygiene The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to implement food safety norms in the kitchens of gurdwaras under its control, including the Golden Temple. The SGPC has directed the ‘langaris’ (cooks) of the Golden Temple kitchen to attend a hygiene workshop. Dr Lakhwinder Singh Bhagowalia, District Health Officer, Amritsar, said the workshop would be been in the last week of this month. Under the BHOG programme, the cooks are supposed to cover their heads and wear aprons as well as gloves. Even the ones who serve langar are expected to wear gloves. Under the initiative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the religious places will be encouraging religious organisations to adopt and maintain food safety and hygiene while preparing langar. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has already adopted FSSAI norms in at least 10 gurdwaras in the Capital. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said very high standards were maintained while purchasing langar material at the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras, but there was always room for improvement. “We have no issues with implementing the FSSAI norms,” he said. “Desi ghee, edible oil and spices are procured from authorised dealers. Only purified water is used for cooking. We have expanded our organic farming project. We also ensure that the vegetables purchased from the market are fresh,” he added. -PTC News
