In response to concerns about the quality of ghee used in Tirupati’s famous laddu prasadam, the Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), Shamala Rao, announced that a system for testing ghee for adulteration was introduced for the first time in the temple’s history over the past three months.

Rao explained that, previously, TTD had never tested ghee for adulteration in external labs as it lacked the in-house capacity to do so. However, this new initiative aims to ensure the purity of ingredients used in prasadam preparation.

“We will continue to test the ghee, and if any supplier is found providing adulterated products, they will be blacklisted, and legal action will be taken,” Rao said. He also mentioned that TTD is in the process of establishing an in-house laboratory to enhance quality control measures.

Executive officer Shamala Rao says,”A sensory panel has been established which will evaluate food samples on the parameters of aroma, taste and texture”.

He also said that TTD conducting  annual`Pavitrotsavam’ on Monday to get relief from all `doshas’ may take place during various programmes.

“To ensure that any ‘doshas’ which may have taken place during various programs or religious ceremonies conducted for Lord Venkateshwara, every year TTD conducts ‘Pavithrotsavam’. To ensure confidence is restored in devotees and they pray with a peaceful mind, one-day ‘Samprokshanam’ and ‘Shanti Homam’ will be conducted on Monday. With this, we are hoping that the sanctity of the Devalayam is restored,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has installed geo-positioning systems on its vehicles delivering ghee to the TTD in response to concerns over substandard ghee used in Tirupati laddus. KMF Managing Director M K Jagadish confirmed that the supply of Nandini ghee, the federation’s popular brand, was reinstated after TTD awarded a tender to KMF a month ago.

“We restored the supply of ghee (to TTD) a month ago. We have installed the GPS system and Geo Location Devices on the vehicles so that we can find out where they stop. This is to ensure that no where adulteration happens,” Jagadish said. He added that KMF has contracted to supply 350 tonnes of ghee and will provide it as needed.