 |
|
The controversy surrounding the Tirupati temple's famed laddus has taken a new turn with the Union Health Ministry issuing a show cause notice to AR Dairy, one of the suppliers of ghee to the temple. The notice, issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), comes after a report by a private laboratory, NDDB CALF, revealed the presence of foreign fats, including palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (pig fat), in the ghee used for the laddus.
The revelation of adulterated ghee in the laddus has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the quality control measures at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the temple. The TTD has denied any knowledge of the adulteration and has since blacklisted AR Dairy, initiating legal proceedings against the company. In a statement, AR Dairy has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming to have supplied a negligible amount of ghee compared to the temple's daily requirement.
The controversy has its roots in a statement by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who alleged that substandard ingredients and animal fat were found in the laddus served as prasadam during the previous YSRCP regime. Naidu cited a lab report from Gujarat, which pointed to the presence of “beef tallow”, “lard”, and fish oil in the ghee. Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy refuted these claims, asserting that no violations occurred under his government and accusing Naidu of engaging in “politics in the name of God.”
The controversy has highlighted the importance of strict quality control measures in religious institutions, especially when it comes to the food served as prasadam. The FSSAI's intervention in this case underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential implications for public health. The outcome of the investigation and the legal proceedings against AR Dairy will be crucial in determining the extent of the adulteration and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Source: Centre's notice to a ghee supplier for Tirupati temple amid laddu row: Sources