Amid the row over the presence of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has called for a reassessment of the temple’s food offerings. “I urge all the people of the state to remember that NT Rama Rao initiated the practice of offering food at Tirumala,” Naidu said, referring to the late leader’s legacy.Naidu assured devotees that the process has been “streamlined” to address these issues, urging that “a proper system should be established” and that food offerings be treated as a sacred act.
A recent report by NDDB CALF, a private laboratory specialising in testing animal feed, milk, and dairy products, has revealed the presence of foreign fats in the ghee used for making Tirupati laddoos. The analysis detected adulterants such as palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (derived from pig fat). The findings were shared with the public by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, raising concerns over the sanctity of the offerings made at the renowned Tirumala temple.
“The lab reports of samples certify that beef tallow and animal fat – lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala and also the S value is only 19.7,” said Reddy.
