In response to a growing controversy over the quality of ghee used in the preparation of laddoos at the Tirumala Tirupati temple, authorities have formed a four-member expert committee to investigate. This development came after a lab report revealed that the laddoos offered as prasad to devotees at the temple in Andhra Pradesh contained foreign fats, including animal fats and fish oil. The report sparked outrage and led to a call for immediate action.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer, J Syamala Rao, announced on Thursday that the committee, comprising four dairy experts—Dr Surendranath, Dr Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, Dr Swarnalatha, and Dr Mahadevan—has been set up to assess the quality of ghee being supplied to the temple. The committee is expected to submit its findings within a week. In addition to investigating the current situation, the panel will advise on the terms and conditions to be included in future ghee procurement tenders to ensure higher standards.
Rao, addressing a media conference at Goluklam Rest House, warned contractors against supplying adulterated or low-quality ghee. He stressed that the TTD will take stringent action against those found in violation of quality standards. The warning came after one company was identified for supplying substandard ghee, as revealed in a test conducted by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The supplier has been issued a show-cause notice for potential blacklisting, while another company has also been flagged for poor-quality supplies.
Rao emphasized that ghee suppliers must adhere strictly to the tender conditions. Failure to do so would result in stern action, including blacklisting. He admitted that there were limitations in the current systems for processing raw materials and ghee procurement, pointing out the absence of testing equipment for detecting adulteration. “It is very much needed,” he said, acknowledging the need for more robust measures to prevent such issues in the future.
The controversy erupted after the NDDB CALF, a private laboratory that specializes in testing animal feed, milk, and milk products, revealed that the ghee used in making the laddoos contained foreign fats. The laboratory report, which was shared by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, confirmed the presence of palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow, and lard—obtained from pig fat—in the ghee samples.
This revelation has triggered a political storm in Andhra Pradesh, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accusing the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of using substandard and animal-based ingredients in the sacred prasad. Naidu’s remarks escalated the situation, leading to a heated exchange between political parties. The YSRCP dismissed the accusations as “malicious” and accused the TDP leader of using the issue for political gain, claiming that Naidu would “stoop to any level” for electoral advantage.
As the investigation continues, the temple authorities remain focused on ensuring that the laddoos offered to devotees meet the highest standards of quality and purity. The committee’s findings and recommendations are expected to guide future procurement processes and safeguard the reputation of the revered Tirumala Tirupati temple.
