Tirupati Laddoo Row: Beef Tallow, Fish Oil Used In Ghee During Jagan-Era? TDP Cites Lab Report To Back Naidu's Claim

Tirupati Laddoo Animal Fat Row: A day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat and other substandard ingredients were used in the preparation of the famed Tirupati laddus under the government of his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former's party on Thursday cited a lab report in an attempt to substantiate the claim.

The analysis of samples sent to the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat confirmed that beef tallow, fish oil and lard (a semi-solid white fat product obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig) were among the ingredients that were used to prepare the 'Ghee' that in turn was used to make Tirupati laddoos during the previous regime, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy said.

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"CM N Chandrababu Naidu had stated yesterday that animal fat was used as one of the ingredients for the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The lab reports of samples which were sent for testing to National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat certify that beef tallow and animal fat - lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala and also the S value is only 19.7," he stated.

#WATCH | Nellore, Andhra Pradesh | TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy says, "CM N Chandrababu Naidu had stated yesterday that animal fat was used as one of the ingredients for the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The lab reports of… pic.twitter.com/upajZ0C5O6

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2024

"Tirupati laddoo" refers to the sacred sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati. The temple is devoted to Lord Venkateswara, a manifestation of Hindu Lord Vishnu.

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Asserting that the alleged mass adulteration was an "affront to Hindu religion", Reddy further said, "The 'prasadam' which is offered to the Lord thrice a day has been mixed with this ghee...We hope that justice will be done and Lord Govind will forgive us for whatever mistakes that have been committed."

(With inputs from ANI)