Since last Wednesday, one news item that has been all over print and in visual media has been about the Laddu Prasadam controversy at Tirupati Balaji temple. Amid growing concerns from devotees about the quality of Ghee used in preparing Laddu prasadam, the Tirumala Tirupati Devastahanams (TTD) has restored the sanctity of the sacred offering.
On last Friday, TTD had confirmed that sub-standard ghee and traces of lard found in samples tested for quality, validating claims of made earlier by Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu. The Ghee sample tested at Gujarat based laboratory of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the test report of the same confirmed the presence of ‘beef tallow’, ‘lard’ and ‘fish oil’ in the sample. The sample was received by lab on 9th July and report of the same was dated 16th July 2024.
Present Andhra CM Naidu has made serious allegations that the earlier government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress allowed the use of substandard ingredients in the prasadam, tarnishing the temple’s sanctity. In the year 2023, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government ended a 15- year partnership with Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) for sourcing Nadini Ghee for Tirupati Laddus due to pricing disputes. Last year in July, the KMF President revealed TTD awarded the Ghee contract to other vendors, and KMF did not participate in the tender because of TTD was not ready to increase the rates of Ghee, as KMF could not reduce the price due to fixed rates benefitting the farmers.
From August 2023, as per KMF, TTD was procuring low priced Ghee which in the end resulted in compromise in quality. One of the main supplier from August 2023 was AR Dairy Foods from Tamilnadu. However, after the Lab report in July, TTD returned the Ghee to AR Dairy Foods, and black listed the contractor. All these happened after Chandrababu Naidu became the CM in June 2024.
This controversy has ignited political tensions in Andhra Pradesh. The leaders Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which is now ruling the state, has slammed the previous government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy YSR Congress (YSRCP) for allegedly mismanaging the TDP, which was run for personal gain under YSRCP. A former priest of Tirumal temple expressed concern over the quality of Ghee used in the laddus. He claimed that his warnings to temple authorities had been ignored, but expressed hope that the new government would rectify the situation by ensuring the use of pure cow Ghee. However the leader of YSRCP has strongly refuted the allegations.
As the controversy unfolds, both the political parties (TDP & YSRCP) are using to gain leverage, with devotees eagerly awaiting a resolution to ensure the temple’s offerings maintain their religious sanctity.
After this controversy came into open, there are some questions that are arising in people’s minds.
1 What quality assurance processes are in place at Tirumala?
As per the reports available, the Ghee suppliers must meet stringent quality and cost requirements. Bidders undergo on-site inspections by experts to assess their capabilities before they can qualify to supple Ghee for the laddus.
2 How is quality monitored after contracts are awarded?
According to TTD website the temple is equipped with state-of-art laboratory for biological testing of prasadam, which includes the laddus. The Health wing of TTD ensures that all prasadam undergoes regular and random quality checks every day, including the laddus. However, the failure to detect any animal fat in the laddus raises concerns whether these checks are functioning as intended, or just reports are filed.
3 How many companies supply Ghee to TTD, and how much they are paid?
From last August, there are five Ghee suppliers- Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy, to the TTD. Only sample of AR Dairy has been found with animal tallow. The rates of the Ghee per Kg varied from 320 to 411.
4 Why did TTD lab fail to detect animal fat?
Even after having state-of-art laboratory that performs daily checks. Why, then, did this lab not detect the alleged adulteration of Ghee This leads to further question- Is the lab functioning effectively or it is only a show piece? The TTD needs to answer this as more than crores of laddus are sold every month.
5 Why does not TTD establish its own Gaushala for Ghee production?
Despite reportedly losing Rs 200 Cr each in a year procuring Ghee for laddus, the TTD does not produce its own Ghee. They have ample land to establish Gaushala, and their own Gaushala could allow TTD to control both supply and quality of Ghee.
6 What exactly was tested: the Ghee or the laddu itself?
Clarification is needed on whether NDDB’s lab tested the laddu or the Ghee. If it was laddu, were other laddus from the same batch distributed to devotees? And which supplier provided the Ghee?
In the end, this incident raises broader questions about food safety. If adulteration can occur at such a revered institution, how can consumers ensure the purity of the Ghee and sweets they purchase from local markets? The controversy underscores the need for stricter market regulations to protect public trust.
In the end I still wonder how can any supplier supply the Cow’s Ghee at the prices, in which the tender was finalized? The rates for the Cow Ghee in the market are more than double of the tender rate. Naturally, the adulteration will be there, otherwise how the supplier is going to make money?
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd September 2024.