Could New Ghee Brand Be Behind ‘Animal Fat in Tirupati Laddoo’ Row?

The controversy surrounding the presence of animal fat in Tirupati Laddoos centers on the quality of ghee used for the prasadam. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has claimed, based on a lab report, that fish oil and beef tallow were found in ghee sourced during the YSR Congress Party’s tenure.

This Has Drawn Attention to the Halt in Supplying the Renowned Nandini Ghee Last Year. The ghee’s quality significantly impacts the taste of Srivari laddoos, which attract thousands of devotees daily at the Sri Venkateswara Temple.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTd) Board, responsible for managing the temple, invites tenders for ghee supply every six months and purchases about 5 lakh kg annually.

Why Was Nandini Ghee Stopped?
Last year, the government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy ceased sourcing Nandini Ghee from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) after nearly 15 years due to pricing issues.

KMF Did Not Participate in the Bidding Process, Citing a Milk Price Increase That Made It Unable to Provide Ghee Competitively. The Karnataka Cabinet Had Approved a ₹3 Per Liter Hike in Nandini Milk Prices, Leading to the Contract Being Awarded to the Lowest Bidder.

The situation escalated when KMF president K Bheema Naik alleged that “discriminatory practices” led to Nandini ghee being excluded from the famous Tirumala laddoo. He stated, “The lads will not be the same anymore. Nandini provides the best ghee in the market and passes all quality checks. If any brand is offering ghee at a lower price, I suspect the quality will be compromised.”

Naik’s comments sparked a political blame game, with the BJP accusing the Congress government in Karnataka, led by Siddaramaiah, of interfering in the affairs of the Tirupati temple.

Allegations also arose about “compromised laddoo quality” and claims that the YSRCP government pressured the temple board to source ghee from a different brand. The KMF has resumed supplying its renowned Nandini ghee to the TTD starting in August, following a directive from Chandrababu Naidu to enhance the quality of the laddoos.

This development coincided with Naidu’s TDP returning to power in the July Assembly elections, winning 167 seats in alliance with the BJP and Janasena. Tirupati produces approximately 3.5 lakh laddoos daily, with each piece costing around Rs 40 to make.

The daily preparation requires 400-500 kg of ghee, 750 kg of cashew nuts, 500 kg of raisins, and 200 kg of cardamom. In light of the recent controversy, the TTD has established a committee to advise on the terms and conditions for sourcing quality ghee for the laddoos.