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The controversy surrounding the adulteration of Tirupati laddoos, a revered prasadam offered at the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple, has taken a legal turn with the TTD filing a police complaint against the Dindigul-based AR Dairy Foods. The complaint accuses the supplier of providing adulterated ghee, which was used in the preparation of the laddoos, triggering widespread outrage among devotees and putting a spotlight on the quality control measures at the temple.
The issue first came to light when devotees started noticing an unusual smell from the laddoos. Reports then surfaced alleging the use of adulterated ghee, containing ingredients like beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat, in the preparation of the prasadam. This sparked considerable concern and anger, particularly among devotees with religious objections to the use of these ingredients.
The TTD, in response to the allegations, initiated an investigation and conducted tests on the ghee supplied by AR Dairy Foods. The results, obtained from NABL-accredited labs, revealed the presence of adulterants including palm oil, tallow, lard, and other animal fats. This confirmation led to the TTD's decision to file a criminal complaint against AR Dairy Foods, demanding that the police take appropriate action against the supplier.
The TTD's complaint highlights a failure in its quality control procedures, which allowed adulterated ghee to enter the supply chain. The trust, facing public criticism and facing the need to restore faith in the sanctity of its prasadam, has taken a firm stance by warning other suppliers of similar consequences if they fail to meet the required quality standards. It has also introduced stricter quality control measures, including mandatory testing of ghee supplies in accredited laboratories.
This incident underscores the importance of stringent quality control and transparency in the preparation and distribution of religious offerings, especially those consumed by a large number of people. The TTD's action, while a reaction to a specific incident, could set a precedent for other religious institutions and organizations responsible for managing and distributing prasadam, prompting them to adopt stricter quality control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.