Amid growing outrage over the use of animal fat in Tirupati’s laddus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has requested a report from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for review. Nadda stated he would consult state regulators and investigate the issue,
Amid rising outrage around the use of animal fat in Tirupati’s laddus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda sought the available report from Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu for examination. He further said that actions will be taken according to the food safety standards.
“I spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu after getting information about this and took details from him. I have asked him to share the available report so that I can examine it. I will also speak to the state regulators and investigate this. Suitable action will be taken as per the food safety standards. As of now I have asked for the report and we will examine it,” he said.
Earlier today, Union Food Minister Prahladh Joshi and Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh demanded an investigation into the matter.
The ruling Telugu Desam Party on Thursday claimed that the adulteration has been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy in a press conference displayed the purported lab report which apparently confirmed the presence of “beef tallow” in the given ghee sample.
The purported lab report also claimed the presence of “lard” (relating to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16.
Andhra Chief Minister and TDP supemo N Chandrababu Naidu had on Wednesday alleged the previous YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati laddu, a consecrated sweet.
While the allegation has been vehemently denied by the opposition YSR Congress Party, a former priest of the temple on Friday that animal fat has been used in the prasad for years and informing the board led to no action.
” I noticed this many years ago. I put it before the concerned authorities and the chairman of the trust board. But they did not care. It is a lonely battle for me but now, the new government has taken power and has promised to clear all the mess,” he told ANI.
