Red gram used in Vemulawada temple prasadam

KARIMNAGAR: Authorities of the Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple in Vemulawada are reportedly procuring sub-standard red gram containing harmful chemicals for preparation of prasadam, putting the lives of devotees at risk. The shocking fact is revealed by a report prepared by the Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, which analysed the red gram samples sent to it by Karimnagar district food inspector in March this year.The report says, the red gram supplied to the temple by a Hyderabad-based trader contains Tartrazine, a synthetic lemon yellow food colouring, at more than permitted levels. Earlier, the State Food Laboratory also reported that the red gram supplied to the temple contained Tartrazine.Red gram is used for preparing naivedyam, prasadam and in temple canteen at Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple and scores of devotees visiting the temple daily are taking the prasadam. Health experts term Tartrazine as an unhealthy addictive which has various side-effects like anxiety, migraines, asthma, blurred vision, eczema and other skin diseases.Sources said, a Hyderabad-based trader supplied about 500 kg of red gram to the temple about six months ago. On reliable information, Karimnagar district food inspector P Preetam Kumar raided the temple store room on March 13.  Samples of red gram and jeera, obtained during the raid, were sent to Central Food Laboratory in Kolkata for analysis which confirmed the presence of Tartrazine at more than permitted levels.The temple management is now claiming that the samples collected by the food inspector were donated to the temple by some devotees and wrote a letter to the district food inspector in this regard.Temple EO T Appa Rao told Express that he had no knowledge about such report and would react only after going through it thoroughly. The report was sent to the food safety commissioner’s office in Hyderabad.  Another report is being prepared , to be submitted to the joint collector and adjudicating officer for further action.