Tirupati laddu controversy: Four-hour purification ritual performed at temple, FSSAI sends notice to AR Diary

TIRUPATI: In the wake of allegations that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam distributed at Tirupati Temple, a four-hour purification ritual was performed at the temple to restore the sanctity of the offerings. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao stated that devotees can set aside their apprehensions regarding laddus at the temple as the sanctity of the 'prasadams' has been restored with the purification ritual.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a show cause notice to AR Dairy Food Private Ltd, one of the suppliers of ghee for making Tirupati Prasadam. As per the notice, it said that the sample sent for testing of AR Dairy failed to meet the parameters.

"As per the information received in this office from The Director Institute of Preventive Medicine, Mangalagin (Andhra Pradesh), your firm, AR Diary Food Private Ltd, was one of the suppliers of ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) since the last four years. Further, as per the information, the ghee procurement committee of TTD has sent all the samples supplied to TTD for testing to the NDDB CALF Lab at Anand, Gujarat," the notice said.

"After analysis, the sample from your firm has failed to meet the parameters and your firm has been blacklisted by EO, TTD," it added.

"In view of all the above stated, you are hereby directed to show cause as to why your Central Licence shall not be suspended for contravention of the above-said provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011," the notice said.

The action comes amid rising demands seeking a comprehensive inquiry into allegations about the use of animal fat in the laddu prasadam.

BJP leader and former minister Subramanian Swamy has demanded a court-monitored investigation into the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu prasadam. However, Y.V. Subba Reddy, former TTD chairman and YSRCP MP, has denied the allegations, terming them "malicious" and an attempt to tarnish the previous government's image. He also demanded an inquiry by an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.