'Sanctity of Tirupati laddu restored': Temple trust after reports of 'beef fat, fish oil' in 'prasadam'

NEW DELHI: After reports of beef fat and fish oil being found in the cow ghee samples used to make the Tirupati 'laddu prasadam,' Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams said that sanctity of the 'prasadam' has been restored. The temple trust has also stalled the use of cow-based products temporarily for making Srivari Prasadams.
"The sanctity of Srivari laddu prasadam is restored again," it said in late Friday night a post on X.
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"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," it said.

'Suppliers took advantage of situation'
Addressing the lab report that confirmed the presence of foreign fats in the ghee used, TTD said, "Foreign fats such as soybean, sunflower, palm kernel fat, or even lard and beef tallow. 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 lack of an in-house lab for ghee testing allowed suppliers to take advantage of the situation. However, NDDB has offered to donate ghee adulteration testing equipment, valued at Rs. 75 lakh," TTD added.
The public laboratory analysis had revealed that there were foreign fats present in the ghee used to make laddus, including lard (clarified pig fat), tallow (beef fat) and fish oil.

The samples also included fats from vegetable sources such as coconut, linseed, rapeseed, and cottonseed. This analysis took place on July 23 following complaints received by the government regarding a change in the taste of the laddu prasadam.
The trust warned the suppliers to ensure high-quality ghee, adding that failure to do so would get them blacklisted.
Read also: Where did animal fat come from in Tirupati Laddoo? How is it made
"There were five ghee suppliers to TTD, with prices ranging from Rs 320 to Rs 411. These suppliers are Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy. However, these rates do not seem viable for supplying pure ghee," it said.
"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," it added.
Meanwhile, the trust has formed an experts committee and has halted the supplies temporarily to ensure quality checks.