The controversy emerged after a report from a Gujarat laboratory, cited by Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), claimed that samples of the ghee used during the tenure of his political rival, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, contained traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat (lard).
Naidu had claimed on September 18 that during the YSRCP’s rule, the laddu used to be made with substandard ingredients and accused its leaders of tarnishing the sanctity of the hill shrine.
They compromised on the quality of ‘Annadanam’ (free meals) and even contaminated the sacred Tirumala Laddu by using animal fat instead of ghee,” he said but added that after the change of government, the laddu is being made with pure ghee.
After the YSRCP rubbished the allegation, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) cited lab reports, which confirmed the presence of animal fat in the ghee used for making laddus. TDP spokesman Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy displayed a lab report before the media which showed beef tallow, lard (pig fat), and fish oil were found in ghee used for the preparation of Tirupati laddu.
Tirupati Laddu row: Health Ministry seeks ‘detailed report’ over alleged presence of animal fat in ‘prasadam’
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has requested Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to provide a “detailed report” regarding the controversy over the alleged presence of animal fat in the ghee used to make laddoos offered as ‘prasadam’ at the Tirupati temple. The controversy emerged after a report from a Gujarat laboratory, cited by Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), claimed that samples of the ghee used during the tenure of his political rival, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, contained traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat (lard).