FDA Chief Urges Safe Food, Safe Medicine as Ganeshotsav Message

Every year, people in the Indian state of Maharashtra celebrate a big festival called Ganeshotsav, which honors the elephant-headed god Ganesha.

During the festival, groups of drummers called dhol-tasha troupes march and play music.

A government food-safety leader named Tukaram Mundhe talked to these drummers in the city of Pune.

He told them not to eat too much fried food or drink energy drinks, because those are not healthy.

He said they should eat nutritious food and, if possible, bring food from home.

He also told them to buy food only from shops that have a license to sell it.

He asked the drummers to spread a special message during the festival: "Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra."

He also reminded festival organizers that sweets given to visitors, like pedhas and ladoos, must be safe to eat.

He said food should be checked by the Food and Drug Administration so that everyone who visits the festival stays healthy and safe.