In the run-up to the grand consecration festival of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple slated for September 17, the district administration and Food Safety Department have rolled out strict safety, hygiene, and eco-friendly protocols for all food and refreshment distributions.According to officials, all free food (annadanam), prasadam, soft drinks, buttermilk, sweets, and drinking water provided during the festival must be clean, hygienic, and entirely free of artificial additives or chemical colours.Upholding the Tamil Nadu government’s environmental directives, the food safety official noted that the use of polythene bags and banned plastic packaging materials will be strictly prohibited across all festival venues.Organisers and donors have been instructed to use eco-friendly alternatives such as banana leaves, areca nut leaf plates, or paper cups for serving food and beverages, he added.Further, organisers must ensure that only high-quality raw materials with verified manufacturing and expiry dates are used for food preparation.“Volunteers and donors are also mandated to collect all post-consumption food waste properly and dispose it of directly into municipal garbage bins to maintain civic cleanliness. Temporary eateries, soft drink stalls, and drinking water kiosks have likewise been directed to adhere strictly to these quality standards,” he noted.Any individual, group, or organisation intending to distribute free food, or beverages during the consecration must register online via the official FSSAI portal (https://foscos.fssai.gov.in) by paying a fee of ₹100 to secure a formal registration certificate from the Madurai District Food Safety Department.The administration has cautioned that strict legal action will be initiated against violators under Section 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.To ensure safety and swift grievance redressal, the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department has launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline number (94440-42322) for the public to report any food-related complaints or inferior-quality items during the festival.Organisers seeking clarification or assistance regarding the mandatory food safety registration process can also contact the official departmental landline at 0452–2640036, the official stated. Published - September 05, 2026 06:47 pm IST