Tirupati Temple Trust “laddu sanctity” restored
Tirupati Temple Trust “laddu sanctity” restored
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has taken the initiative to restore the sanctity of its laddu prasadam after lab tests revealed adulteration.
Following reports of beef fat and fish oil being found in the cow ghee samples used to make the Tirupati ‘laddu prasadam,’ as per Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the sanctity of the ‘prasadam’ has been restored and the temple trust has also stalled the use of cow-based products temporarily for making Srivari Prasadams.
The temple trust further stated that after receiving feedback from pilgrims over 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.
The Temple Trust while addressing the lab report that confirmed the presence of foreign fats in the ghee used also went on to state that suppliers took advantage of situation’
Foreign fats such as soybean, sunflower, palm kernel fat, or even lard and beef tallow were used.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.”
Further adding 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.
The public laboratory analysis 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.
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.
Notwithstanding 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.
Meanwhile, the trust has formed an experts committee and has halted the supplies temporarily to ensure quality checks.
News Edit KV Raman
