Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Anna Prasadam Also Under TTD Scrutiny As Expert Panel Flags Deficiency In Quality

Amid controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has sought to reassure devotees that there will be no compromise with the quality of the ghee used in making the sacred Laddu Prasadam.

Speaking to the media at the Annamaiah Bhavan Meeting Hall on Friday (20 September), TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao said, “TTD will ensure the sanctity of the highly sought-after Laddu Prasadam offered to Sri Venkateswara Swamy by using pure cow ghee. There will be no compromise on the quality of ghee used in making laddus".

Rao said that Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that the quality and taste of Laddu Prasadam must be upheld.

He added that the Chief Minister has instructed that the sanctity of Laddu prasadam must be restored by using pure cow ghee, as it involves the sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide.

"Following this directive, we have focused on improving the quality and taste of the laddus ever since the new TTD Administration took over," he said.

Rao said that after feedback from devotees, who reported a decline in the taste and quality of the laddus in recent years, the TTD sent the ghee samples for adulteration, a first in the temple's history.

"After receiving feedback from pilgrims regarding the poor quality of laddus in recent years and after consulting with the Potu workers (laddu makers), TTD, for the first time, sent ghee samples to an external lab for adulteration testing," Rao said.

According to Rao, there were five ghee suppliers to TTD—Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy - with the per kg prices ranging from Rs 320 to Rs 411.

"However, these rates do not seem viable for supplying pure ghee," the TTD EO said.

Rao said that the new administration has warned all suppliers to ensure high-quality ghee, otherwise, samples will be sent to external labs for adulteration testing, and suppliers will be blacklisted if found guilty.

"Despite the warnings, four ghee tankers sent by AR Foods were found to be of substandard quality. S-value analysis carried out on the samples, sent to the reputable NDDB CALF Anand, showed results outside the standard limits, indicating the presence of foreign fats," he said.

The analysis detected foreign fats including vegetable oils such as soybean and sunflower, and potentially more alarming foreign fats like lard and beef tallow.

Beef tallow is the fat of a cow and lard is the fat of pork.

“The acceptable S-value range for pure milk fat is between 98.05 and 104.32, but the tested samples showed values ranging from 23.22 to 116, indicating significant deviations,” the EO explained.

TTD attributed part of the problem to the absence of an in-house ghee testing facility, which allowed suppliers to take advantage of the situation.

However, TTD announced plans to address this issue with the help of NDDB.

“NDDB has offered to donate ghee adulteration testing equipment, valued at Rs 75 lakh. It is expected to be operational by December or January as a permanent solution,” the EO said.

In response to the ghee adulteration issue, TTD has also temporarily halted the use of cow-based products in Srivari Prasadams and set up an expert committee to investigate quality concerns raised by devotees regarding Anna Prasadams.

"As a result, TTD formed a committee of experts to investigate, and it was found that there are deficiencies in quality. Supplies have been temporarily halted, and after a thorough examination, a decision will be made regarding whether or not to restore the same products," Rao added.

Also Read: Tirupati Laddu Row: Dairy Giant Amul Clears Air On Ghee Supply To TTD