The major controversy over the alleged use of beef tallow in the preparation of the world-famous Tirupati laddu erupted after the ruling Telugu Desam Party on Thursday claimed that the adulteration was confirmed by the Gujarat-based livestock laboratory.
TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy at a press conference showed the alleged laboratory report confirming the presence of “beef tallow” in the given ghee sample.
What is beef tallow?
The main controversy revolves around the alleged use of beef tallow, a substance made from fat extracted from beef cuts such as rump roast, ribs and steaks.
Tallow can also be produced by heating and melting the fat extracted from meat, which turns it into a liquid that gives a pliable, buttery consistency when cooled to room temperature.
Tirupati laddu lab report
The alleged lab report also claimed the presence of “lard” (related to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The date of receipt of the samples was July 9, 2024 and the date of the lab report was July 16.
However, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.
The lab- CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food) is a multi-disciplinary analytical laboratory at the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) located in Anand, Gujarat.
Andhra Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday had alleged that the previous YSRCP government used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making the sacred sweet Tirupati laddu.
The opposition YSR Congress Party has vehemently denied the allegation.
10 Updates on Tirupati Laddoo Controversy
- While the YSRCP accused Chandrababu Naidu of making “vile allegations” for political gains, the TDP circulated lab reports to support the claim.
- During the NDA legislature party meeting on Wednesday, Naidu claimed that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government did not even spare the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati and used substandard ingredients and animal fat to make laddus.
- TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed that the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, have been confirmed adulterated by the Gujarat-based livestock laboratory.
- The alleged lab report also claimed the presence of “lard” (related to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The date of receipt of the samples was July 9, 2024, and the lab report was dated July 16.
- However, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, PTI reported.
- The lab- CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food) is a multi-disciplinary analytical laboratory at the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) located in Anand, Gujarat.
- On Thursday, Chandrababu Naidu had alleged that the erstwhile YSRCP government had desecrated Tirumala, but said the cleaning process has already begun.
- Reacting to the development, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said the lab report has clearly established that beef fat, fish oil and lard were used to make the laddus.
- BJP MLA in Telangana Raja Singh said the alleged use of “beef fat and fish oil” in making the sacred laddu prasadam during the previous YSR Congress government is a direct attack on our rich cultural and religious heritage, which should not be tolerated.
- Senior YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member YV Subba Reddy, who served as TTD chairman for four years, said Naidu’s allegations have undermined the sacred nature of the deity and hurt the sentiments of devotees. “It is also unimaginable to say that animal fat was used in the sacred food offered to the deity and the laddus given to the devotees. There can be no more heinous attempt than alleging the use of animal fat,” PTI quoted Reddy as saying.
