'Samples showed shocking results:' Tirupati temple trust amid laddu controversy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that “animal fat” and substandard ingredients were used to make the famous Tirupati laddu

Amid the laddu controversy, the Tirupati Temple Trust on Friday said it would soon take legal action in the case. The trust also said the samples of the prasad were adulterated.

“A good laddu is made only with pure cow ghee. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had expressed his wishes clearly. Upon his instructions, we closely examined the samples and warned those flouting the norms. We threatened to blacklist them at first,” said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J Syamala Rao while addressing a press meet.

He said the samples were tested at the NDDB CALF lab in Anand, Gujarat. “The reports have come back, and they are very shocking...” he said.

According to Rao, this is the first time that TTD  has sent samples for testing adulteration outside.  "The report says two things: one is that it (Prasad) is adulterated with vegetable fats, and the other is that it is adulterated with animal fats..."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that “animal fat” and substandard ingredients were used to make the famous Tirupati laddu during the Jagan Mohan Reddy government. During an NDA legislature party meeting in Amaravati on Wednesday, Naidu said: “Even Tirumala laddu was made with substandard ingredients...they used animal fat instead of ghee.”

However, the Jagan-led YSRC party has denied the charges.

The Tirupati Laddu prasadam is offered at the revered Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

In a post on social media platform X, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said: “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam.”