Amid the contentious period over the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu making, the Indian dairy brand Amul, annuls the allegations of supplying milk to TTD. Amul on its social media handle X said, This is in reference to some social media posts mentioning that Amul Ghee was being supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). We wish to inform that we have never supplied Amul Ghee to TTD.

The Amul Company claims its products use pure ingredients and go through rigorous checks to ensure pure quality. “We also wish to clarify Amul Ghee is made from milk at our state-of-the-art production facilities, which are ISO certified. Amul Ghee is made from high-quality pure milk fat. The milk received at our dairies passes through stringent quality checks, including adulteration detection as specified by FSSAI,” the statement added.

What is Tirupati Laddu’s Controversy?

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh ignited a debate on September 18th, 2024 by sharing a video of Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. They contended using animal fat instead of gheein Tirupati Prasadam at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The management of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple is in the hands of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Amul, Karnatakas Nandini Milk and AR Dairy Food Private Limited wades the controversy. Both the firms were interrogated over the ghee supply to the Tirupati temple. However, Amul claims to be out of the matter by stating on social media.

Reactions from the Controversy

• A purported lab report indicated the presence of beef tallow, fish oil and other sub-standard ingredients, after Naidu’s claim. The purported lab report also claimed the containing of lard (relating to pig fat) in the samples
• Following the circulation of the lab report justifying Naidus claim, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao stated that the board was in the procedure of blocking the contactor who supplied adulterated ghee.
• Supporting Naidus claim, Rao confirmed maintaining the quality and taste of Laddu Prasadam, at the Annamaiah Bhavan Meeting Hall. He stated, “Also the sanctity of Laddu prasadam must be restored by using pure cow ghee, as it involves the sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide.

As per the PTI report, Rao also claimed to issue four warnings to AR Dairy Foods. He said, Even after warning, four ghee tankers sent by AR Foods were prima facie found to be of substandard quality.” In addition, there were five ghee suppliers to TTD, pricing the ghee ranging from INR 320 to INR 411. Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy were among these suppliers. He also said that rates do not seem viable for supplying pure ghee.

However, both Amul and Tamil-Nadu based AR Dairy quash the allegations, on the purity of their ghee. According to them, their products have been through checks, certifying their quality. Where Amul clarifies of not supplying ghee to TTD, AR Dairy states of supplying ghee during June and July only.