Laddu adulteration: Will consult pontiffs, experts on future course of action: CM Naidu

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu said the government will consult pontiffs, sages, priests and other top Hinduism experts on the future course of action to be taken following allegations of animal fat adulteration in Tirupati laddus.

During a recent NDA legislative party meeting, Naidu claimed that the previous YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making the popular Tirupati laddus, known for its unique taste.

The chief minister said after consultation, the government will take its decision with respect to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official custodian of world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati.

"We are discussing what to do next and how to go forward with respect to TTD. After deliberating with pontiffs, priests and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) experts, we will decide on how the samprokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) should be done," said Naidu in an official release.

Highlighting the unique glory of the Tirupati laddu, the CM noted that many people tried to make better prasadams (consecrated food) but failed at it.

"In Ayodhya also they tried to replicate Tirumala laddu and workers were also taken from here but it was not possible. This matter was told to me by people from there (Ayodhya)," said Naidu, adding that Tirupati laddu is centuries old.

It may be recalled that a major row has erupted after Naidu claimed that animal fat was used instead of ghee for preparing Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Laddus during the previous YSRCP government.

A report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) lab at Gujarat's National Dairy Development Board indicated the ghee contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (a semi-solid white fat product obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig). The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16.

Former chief priest of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Ramana Deekshitulu has appealed to Naidu to conduct a detailed inquiry into the use of animal fats for preparing laddu prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

According to TTD, there were five suppliers of Ghee to TTD and the rates were between Rs 320 to Rs 411. The suppliers--Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Diary, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk and AR Dairy. Prima facie these rates are not viable rates for supplying Pure Ghee. All have been warned by the new Administration to ensure good quality Ghee otherwise samples will be sent to outside labs for testing for adulteration and will be blacklisted if found positive.

In August 2023, Nandini brand milk producer Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman Bheema Naik alleged that the temple body was procuring low quality ghee. However, the then TTD executive officer A V Dharma Reddy said that the temple body procures cow ghee only from those suppliers who pass the twin tests of uncompromising quality and least cost (L1 bidder) through a rigourous e-tender process, dismissing Naik's allegations.

Moreover, he said that KMF, which never qualified as an L1 bidder had supplied ghee only once in the past 20 years, including failing to deliver the consignment on time.