Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s allegations that Tirumala Laddu was defiled by the previous government and that animal fat was added instead of ghee in the preparation of Laddu are causing a stir. YCP leaders, former chairman of the TTD Trust Board YV Subbareddy and Bhumana Karunakara Reddy have strongly condemned his allegation and sought probe into it or warn to face legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, TDP has revealed evidence for those allegations. TDP leader Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy released the reports of various labs that tested the ghee used in making Tirupati Laddu to the media. In those reports, it was found that only 19 percent of the ghee supplied by the contractors to TTD was ghee.
The ghee supplied to TTD was tested at the famous NDDB Calf Lab in the country. However, according to that report, it has been found that soybean, sunflower, olive, wheat bean, corn, cotton seed as well as fish oil, beef tallow, palm oil and pork fat were also used in ghee. Ghee, cashew nut, almond and other ingredients were used inferiorly during the YCP regime. As a result, the quality of brownies is lacking.
Nandini Cooperative Dairy of Karnataka used to supply ghee at a subsidized rate. But the YCP regime set aside the Nandini company, as the government owned company will not give them commissions and opted for private companies. Former EO Dharma Reddy handed over the tender for those he wanted.
A kg of cow ghee ranges from Rs.400 to Rs.1000. But, some companies have come forward to supply only at Rs.320. Agreement was made without inquiry about those companies. Those companies supplied substandard ghee at Rs.320. TTD requires 15 kg of ghee per day to make laddoos.
The ghee was sent to the NDDB cop lab on July 8 by the present government, to check its quality. NDDB Cop Lab checked the quality with the latest technology. It is ISO 17025 accredited. Good experience in inspection of dairy products. The ghee used by TTD was examined and a report was submitted on 16th of that month.
It was clear that soybean, sunflower, olive, wheat bean, corn, cottonseed and fish oil were used in the ghee used by TTD. Palm oil and lard are also used in beef tallow. The S value is lower than it should be.The lab concluded that the S value of 20.32, which should have been 95.68 to 104.32, was due to the presence of animal fat.
The previous government used ghee for the consumption of brownies at will without even checking the quality of ghee. After the coalition government came to power, the report sent to the lab to check the quality of the ghee supplied, it was confirmed that it contained different types of oils and oil extracted from vegetables. The ghee supplied by AR Foods of Tamil Nadu was sent to the lab and it was claimed that it contained vegetable oil. The company was blacklisted by TTD.