Tirumala trust files complaint against firm for supplying adulterated ghee
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirumala, has filed a police complaint against AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd. The Tamil Nadu-based dairy firm is accused of supplying adulterated ghee to the temple in July 2024. The complaint was lodged with the Tirupati town police following the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) led by Inspector General of Police Sarvashresht Tripathi to investigate these allegations.
TTD details ghee order and quality concerns
According to the complaint, TTD General Manager (Procurement) P Muralikrishna stated that the temple management ordered 10 lakh kg of ghee from AR Dairy Foods on May 15 for making "laddu prasadam." The firm delivered four tankers of ghee on June 12, 20 and 25 and July 6. However, after receiving complaints from pilgrims about the laddu's quality, TTD decided to conduct an adulteration test at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Adulteration test reveals presence of vegetable and animal fat
Muralikrishna revealed in his complaint that the ghee samples collected from four tankers supplied by AP Dairy Foods on July 6 and June 12 tested positive for the presence of vegetable and animal fat. Following these findings, show-cause notices were issued to the company on July 22, 23, and 27 seeking an explanation. The company responded on September 4, denying the adulteration charge.
Political tensions rise amidst ghee adulteration row
An employee of the firm earlier refuted claims that fish oil was used in the ghee preparation, stating that their product undergoes 102 quality checks before dispatch. "Fish oil is more expensive than ghee. Any adulteration...would immediately be detectable by smell alone," he told a Tamil channel, according to The Indian Express. "Our ghee samples are first tested in national laboratories before being dispatched to TTD. Upon arrival, TTD's food safety officer checks the samples again," he added.
