Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Ghee Supplier Denies Allegations of Adulteration, Cites Cost of Fish Oil

An employee of AR Dairy Food Private Limited, a Tamil Nadu-based company accused of supplying adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for the famous Tirupati Laddu prasadam, has dismissed the claims as “absurd.” The allegations that fish oil was used to prepare the ghee were refuted by Kanan, a quality control officer at the firm, who pointed out that fish oil is more expensive than ghee and would be easily detectable by its smell.

Kanan emphasized that their ghee undergoes rigorous testing, including 102 quality checks before being sent to TTD. He also noted that samples are tested at national laboratories and once again by TTD’s food safety officer before approval.

The controversy has sparked widespread outrage, with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expressing concern over the damage to the “Hindu psyche,” calling for temple management to be handled by religious leaders rather than officials and politicians. Meanwhile, Andhra minister Nara Lokesh assured strict action against those responsible, confirming that lab tests had found evidence of animal fat in the ghee used for the prasadam.