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

Amid ongoing controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in Prasadam given at the Tirupati temple, dairy giant Amul on Friday (20 September) clarified that it had never supplied ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

In response to posts circulating on various social media platforms, Amul's official account on X issued a public statement, clarifying that Amul Ghee had never been supplied to TTD.

"This is in reference to some social media posts mentioning that Amul Ghee was being supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). We wish to inform that we have never supplied Amul Ghee to TTD," the statement read.

"We also wish to clarify Amul Ghee is made from milk at our state-of-the-art production facilities, which are ISO certified. Amul Ghee is made from high-quality pure milk fat. The milk received at our dairies passes through stringent quality checks, including adulteration detection as specified by FSSAI," it added.

Amul's clarification comes two days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that sudstandard materials, including animal fat, had been used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) administration.

Responding to the controversy, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the TDP of "politicising religious matters."

"The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria have not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. The TTD collects samples of the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. The TDP is politicising religious matters. In our regime, we have rejected products 18 times," Reddy said.

Earlier on Friday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda spoke to CM Naidu and sought a full report on the issue, adding that the Centre would examine the matter and take suitable action.

During a press briefing on the Modi government's 100-day achievements, Nadda addressed questions about the adulteration in Tirupati prasadam.

"I have spoken to Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu after receiving information about this and took details from him. I have asked him to share the available report so that I can examine it. I will also speak to the state regulators and investigate this. Suitable action will be taken as per the food safety standards. As of now, I have asked for the report and we will examine it," Nadda said.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and claimed that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, I myself am writing a letter to the Prime Minister. I am also writing a letter to the Chief Justice of India. I am explaining to them as to how Chandrababu Naidu twisted the facts and why action should be taken against him for having done so," the YSRCP chief told reporters.

Also Read: Tirupati Laddu Allegations Prompt Probe Call Against AR Foods, Supplier Of Ghee To Palani Murugan Temple In Tamil Nadu