GEORGE TOWN: Ice cream, sweets and cakes served at Hindu temples may contain animal-derived ingredients that devotees observing the Navarathiri festival are not aware of.
The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has urged devotees to check food labels carefully before buying packaged treats for religious festivals and ceremonies.
Its president Datuk P. Murugiah said the association received complaints from devotees that sweets, cakes and ice cream served at temples contained ingredients derived from animals.
"Many people do not realise that some of the food they buy contains animal-based gelatin or other ingredients that are unsuitable for religious observances.
"Devotees should read the ingredients listed on food packaging before buying or serving these products at temples and religious functions," he said on Wednesday (Oct 14).
Murugiah said gelatin and other animal-derived ingredients could be found in ice cream, gummy sweets, biscuits, cakes, pastries and certain types of cheese.
He said even milk powder and health food products could contain fish oil or other animal-derived ingredients.
Gelatin is a protein obtained from collagen found in animal skin, bones and connective tissues.
It is widely used in food manufacturing as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent, giving products such as gummy sweets, marshmallows and certain desserts their bite texture.
Fish oil is added to some milk powders, nutritional drinks and health foods as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, which supports brain and eye development.
Murugiah said devotees should be particularly mindful when buying food for Navarathiri, a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother in her various forms.
The festival, which began on Sunday (Oct 11), is observed over nine nights, with prayers honouring the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
During this period, many devotees observe vegetarian diets, abstain from alcohol and practise fasting or other forms of religious discipline.
The festival culminates in Vijayadashami on Oct 20, an auspicious day associated with victory, knowledge and new beginnings.
Murugiah said greater awareness of food ingredients would help devotees uphold their religious practices during Navarathiri and other occasions, including Deepavali, weddings, engagements, ear-piercing ceremonies and newborn celebrations.
