Tirumala gets India’s first advanced food testing lab; Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates ₹25 Cr facility

Tirumala: In a major step towards enhancing the quality and safety of prasadam and annaprasadam served to millions of devotees, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Water and Food Analysis Laboratory at Tirumala.

Set up by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the facility has been established at a cost of ₹25 crore.

The facility will use advanced blockchain technology to prevent any tampering of test reports and ensure complete transparency in food quality monitoring.

Notably, this is the first advanced food testing laboratory to be set up at a pilgrimage centre in India.

Focus on quality and safety of prasadam

The newly inaugurated laboratory aims to ensure the highest quality standards in the preparation of Srivari laddu and annaprasadam.

All raw materials, including ghee, pulses, and other ingredients used in prasadam preparation, will undergo rigorous and continuous testing.

Spread across 12,000 square feet, the facility houses dedicated chemical and microbiology divisions. It is equipped to detect bacteria, antibiotic residues, pesticides, and heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.

The lab also features advanced infrastructure, including clean rooms, air handling systems, and a bomb calorimeter. With ultra-sensitive Parts Per Trillion (PPT) technology, it enables highly precise analysis of food quality.

Addressing the media after the inauguration, State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the lab has been designed to detect even the slightest adulteration in ingredients used for preparing Srivari laddu and anna prasadam.

Blockchain to eliminate Human Interference

The Minister emphasized that the entire process—from procurement of raw materials to sample collection, testing, and reporting—will be carried out with minimal human intervention.

“By integrating blockchain technology, we are ensuring that reports generated by the lab cannot be altered at any stage. Transparency and accountability are our top priorities,” he said.

Advanced testing capabilities

The laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge instruments to conduct both chemical and microbiological analysis. It can identify traces of pesticides, preservatives, and other contaminants in key ingredients such as ghee, oil, milk, pulses, and dry fruits.

The facility is capable of testing up to 1,500 samples per month, amounting to 18,000 samples annually. It also has the capability to conduct nearly 400 different types of pesticide residue tests.

To further enhance testing precision, advanced devices such as E-nose and E-tongue, capable of detecting variations in smell and taste, will soon be imported from France at an estimated cost of ₹3 crore.

No compromise on public health

Highlighting the government’s commitment to public health, the Minister stated that strict monitoring of food quality would help prevent serious health risks, including diseases like cancer.

The lab will conduct comprehensive testing on water, milk, oils, additives, fertilizers, synthetic colors, and other substances used in food preparation. Modern equipment has also been installed to assess the quality of raw materials like chickpeas, almonds, and pulses.

Centre’s support and future accreditation

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is funding the project, while Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has provided the land. The Union government will support the lab for five years by funding infrastructure, staff training, and salaries.

The lab has begun its analysis operations and is expected to obtain NABL accreditation within a year, after which it will function as a fully certified facility.

Expansion plans across Andhra Pradesh

The State government is planning to replicate similar advanced food laboratories across Andhra Pradesh. Facilities in Visakhapatnam are expected to be launched next month, followed by Guntur, Tirupati, and Kurnool within the next three to four months.

Additionally, the government has decided to upgrade a total of 11 laboratories across the state into modern State Food Laboratories. To address staffing shortages, 150 additional posts have been sanctioned in the State Food Safety Department.

Devotees express satisfaction over improved laddu quality

During his visit, the Chief Minister interacted with devotees to gather feedback on facilities at Tirumala. Many devotees expressed satisfaction with the improved quality and taste of the laddu prasadam compared to the past.

Some devotees also requested measures to speed up the darshan process. Responding positively, Naidu said that an Integrated Command Control System has already been set up and added that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology would soon be deployed to make darshan faster and more convenient.

CM chooses Vaikuntham queue, continues tradition

The Chief Minister, along with his family members, offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara on the occasion of his grandson Devansh’s birthday.

Despite being entitled to protocol entry through the Mahadwaram, Naidu chose to follow his long-standing practice of entering through the Vaikuntham Queue Complex like a common devotee.

He was accompanied by his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari, son and Minister Nara Lokesh, daughter-in-law Brahmani, and grandson Devansh. After the darshan, Vedic scholars offered blessings, and TTD officials presented him with theertha prasadam.

₹44 lakh donation to Annadanam trust

Continuing a family tradition, Chandrababu Naidu donated ₹44 lakh to the TTD Annadanam Trust, covering the cost of one day’s annaprasadam distribution. The family has been making this annual contribution on Devansh’s birthday for the past 12 years.

CM serves food to devotees at Annaprasadam complex

After the darshan, the Chief Minister and his family walked to the Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex, where they personally served food to devotees and interacted with them.

In a rare gesture, Naidu relaxed his security protocol to mingle with devotees, greeting them warmly, shaking hands, and posing for photographs. A devotee also presented him with a ‘Karungali mala’, which he accepted graciously.

The inauguration of the advanced food testing laboratory marks a significant milestone in ensuring food safety and quality at one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage centres, reinforcing TTD’s commitment to devotee welfare.