Fungus-infected Sabarimala 'appams' were poisonous: Report

Fungus-infected ''appam'' (sweetmeat) distributed in Sabrimala contained deadly poison, said the lab report.

The report of the microbiology lab of Council for Food Research and Development (CFRD) at Konni in Pathanamthitta district, which examined the samples of the appam, say that the fungus had developed in the sweetmeat since it had been either prepared in unhygienic condition or not cooked fully. The CFRD is a State-Centre joint venture.

The fungus found in the appam can cause liver ailment in adults and can kill children, says the report.

Sources did not disclose more details of the report as it has to be submitted before the  Kerala High Court, which closely monitors the activities at the temple. It has even appointed a special envoy to the temple to report the developments during the annual pilgrimage.

The temple authorities claim that the stale “appams” were destroyed. Pilgrims still complain that they are getting fungus-infected “appams.”