Tirupati Laddu controversy: TDP alleges beef tallow, pig fat & fish oil in consecrated sweet

The controversy erupted over the alleged use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the preparation of the world-renowned Tirupati Laddu with the ruling Telugu Desam Party on Thursday claiming that the adulteration has been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory.

Addressing the media, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy displayed the purported lab report which apparently confirmed the presence of ”beef tallow” in the given ghee sample.

The purported lab report also claimed the presence of ”lard” (relating to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16.

However, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from either the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

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#WATCH | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | On Tirupati Laddu controversy, BJP leader and former TTD Board Member, Bhanuprakash Reddy says, "...We are filing a complaint against Jagan Mohan Reddy, TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, and Y.V. Subba Reddy and the then Executive Officer… pic.twitter.com/oNkjPzUU3p

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2024

The laboratory–CALF (Centre for Analysis and learning in Livestock & Food) is a multidisciplinary analytical laboratory at NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) based in Gujarat’s Anand.

Andhra Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu had on Wednesday alleged the previous YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati laddu, a consecrated sweet.

The allegation has been vehemently denied by the opposition YSR Congress Party.