The beloved prasad of millions of people, the sacred Tirupati laddu, recently became the center of a huge controversy. Allegations emerged that the laddus could contain animal fat, sparking outrage among devotees and raising concerns about the purity of the temple sweets. India Today carried out a nationwide investigation for three weeks, collecting samples of desi ghee laddus from major temples, including the famous Tirupati laddus. The samples were analyzed at the Shriram Institute of Industrial Research to verify the quality and authenticity of the desi ghee used.
Where did the controversy begin?
The controversy began on September 18 when Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that Tirupati laddus were adulterated with animal fat during the Jagan Reddy government’s tenure. This accusation sparked political and religious anger. In the end the matter reached the Supreme Court. Justice BR Gavai said, “God should stay away from politics.” The next hearing in the case will be held on November 22.
The controversy was further aggravated by a report by the CALF laboratory of the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), which revealed that foreign fats, including palm oil and possibly animal fat, were found in the Tirupati laddu samples. The findings revealed that animal fats may include beef fat and lard.
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India Today handed over the samples to the Shriram Institute of Industrial Research on October 17. The samples included laddus from Tirupati and two additional samples of sweets from Mathura-Vrindavan. Dr Mukul Das, director of Shri Ram Institute, said there were no animal or vegetable fats in these samples. He confirmed, “These samples contained no animal fat or vegetable fat…all three were made from desi ghee and are completely safe.”
Dr. Das said on this matter that a few days ago it was discovered that it was made from animal fat in Tirupati. If we look at it from a religious perspective, it is definitely a commitment to our faith.
Finally, the laboratory results cleared the Tirupati laddu samples as well as the Mathura-Vrindavan sweets, confirming that the desi ghee used was indeed pure. However, the fourth sample found in Hathras set off alarm bells.
This sample, which appeared under the brand name desi ghee, contained only vegetable and refined oils, suggesting adulteration is also occurring elsewhere. This special packet of ghee was purchased during India Today’s recent sting operation against fake ghee suppliers in Hathras. Since it was a mixture of vegetable ghee and refined oils, packaged as desi ghee, laboratory tests only revealed that it was a fake.
In the wake of the Tirupati Laddu controversy, this India Today report alerts devotees about the quality and authenticity of the sweets they eat. Especially about the sweets sold outside the famous temples.
