Pune, 11st September 2026: Caterers supplying Mahaprasad and community meals for Ganesh mandals in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad will have to complete a mandatory pre-planning process with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before accepting orders, as the department steps up food safety checks during the festival.
Under the new procedure, licensed caterers must fill out the FDAтАЩs prescribed pre-planning form and submit it to the food safety officer of their respective zone at least seven days before the event. Only after completing the formalities can they accept orders from Ganesh mandals for Mahaprasad or other community meal programmes.
The requirement will not be restricted to the Ganesh festival and will also apply to Mahaprasad and community food distribution programmes organised during other upcoming festivals and celebrations.
The FDA has introduced the process in view of the large quantities of food prepared and distributed to devotees during Ganeshotsav. The advance information will enable officials to monitor compliance with food safety and hygiene requirements.
Caterers will have to provide details including the venue and date of the programme, expected number of beneficiaries, food items to be prepared and details of the organisers. They will also have to submit their FSSAI licence number and validity, details of food handlers and their medical examinations, the source of water and water-testing report, and the name and certificate number of a FoSTaC-certified food safety supervisor.
Details of arrangements to preserve food samples for 48 hours, along with information on raw material suppliers, will also have to be furnished.
The FDA has made it clear that the responsibility for completing the pre-planning process lies with the caterers, not the Ganesh mandals. However, mandals have been advised to ensure that the caterers they engage have completed the required FDA formalities.
Caterers failing to comply with the requirements may face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The FDA has therefore directed caterers to complete the prescribed process and ensure compliance with food safety regulations before undertaking Mahaprasad or community meal orders.
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