Amid Tirupati Laddoo controversy, 43 food samples collected from Mathura & Vrindavan, ‘Peda’ sent for testing

etimes.in | Sep 24, 2024, 02.10 PM IST

While the controversy of Tirupati Laddoo has not yet died down, people are shocked by the sudden food safety drive in Mathura and Vrindavan by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) authority. Apparently, as per a PTI report, the authorities have collected about 43 food samples from 15 shops near major religious sites in Mathura, Vrindavan, and its surrounding areas. Not just that, but the popular sweet dish from Mathura ‘Peda’, which is used as an offering for Lord Krishna, has been sent to Lucknow from among the samples collected.

Animal fat, fish oil used in making Tirupati Laddoos: Andhra CM N. Chandrababu Naidu

Controversy surrounds the Tirupati Laddoo as reports claim it was made with substandard ingredients and animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu asserts that pure ghee is now used, improving quality. The YSRC party denies these allegations, calling them politically driven and malicious.

FSDA Assistant Commissioner Dhirendra Pratap Singh claimed that the operation conducted recently aims to set quality standards for food commodities that are sold close to temples. As per the PTI report, “Samples included a plethora of sweets and dairy products like Peda, Barfi, Milk Cake, Rasgulla, Imarti, Sonpapdi, along with numerous spices.” These shops have been known for catering to pilgrims and tourists.

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A row has emerged over Tirupati Laddoo's ingredients as Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using substandard materials and animal fat. The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRC party denied these claims. Naidu stated that pure ghee is now used, improving the laddoo's quality.

“Of the 43 samples taken, 42 have cleared all the tests. One sample of Peda has been sent to Lucknow to be further tested for absolute safety,” Singh said.

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Tirupati Laddoo controversy: Amul files FIR against people spreading fake rumours

Amul has filed an FIR against social media users for spreading misinformation about its involvement in supplying adulterated ghee to the Tirupati temple. The issue arose after former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's lab tests found foreign fats in the ghee used for laddoos. The Union Health Ministry is also seeking a detailed report.

All this massive checking is the result of a larger concern over food adulteration in religious offerings, following allegations of animal fat adulteration in laddoo prasad distributed in Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh. This has made Mainpuri MP and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav raise her worries over the quality of khoya sold in Mathura, putting more emphasis on the dairy-based sweets of the region.

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Concerns have emerged regarding the use of animal fat in Tirupati Laddoo prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Temple. A Gujarat lab report detected beef fat, fish oil, and lard in the ghee used. The laddoo's history dates back to 1480 and was notably shaped by Kalyanam Iyengar.

Authorities have claimed they are following strict precautionary measures for safety and quality in their food products, especially in the places pilgrims and tourists keep visiting. Though most samples have been cleared, officials still await the results from the pending sample of peda sent to Lucknow for testing.

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A lab test ordered by the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh revealed that ghee used in Tirupati Laddoo prasadam contained foreign fats like lard, tallow, fish oil, and various vegetable oils. This discovery has caused significant concern among devotees regarding the quality and purity of this important religious offering.

The FSDA is still continuing its work in making sure that food safety is maintained in Mathura, a very popular site for religious tourism, and to this effect, the official in charge of the vendors has cautioned against the sale of adulterated products.

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(Images courtesy: Canva)