'Animal fat' in Tirupati laddoos: Food Minister Pralhad Joshi seeks probe into Andhra CM's allegations

Food Minister Pralhad Joshi called for an investigation on Friday into allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos, a claim that has raised concerns among devotees.

Animal fat in Tirupati laddoos: Food Minister Pralhad Joshi seeks detailed probe into allegations snt

Sunita Iyer

First Published Sep 20, 2024, 11:30 AM IST | Last Updated Sep 20, 2024, 12:02 PM IST

"Whatever the Andhra Chief Minister has said is a matter of serious concern. A detailed enquiry is required and the culprit should be punished," Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of a global food regulators summit in New Delhi.

Also read: Beef fat, fish oil in Tirupati laddoos: Calls for punishment like 'kumbhipakam', hang till death & more surge

During an NDA legislative party meeting on Wednesday, Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government of compromising the sanctity of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati by using substandard ingredients and animal fat in the preparation of laddoos.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, at a press conference in Amaravati on Thursday, claimed that adulteration in the ghee used for the laddoos was confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory. The tests were conducted on samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the temple.

Displaying the alleged lab report, Reddy stated that it confirmed the presence of "beef tallow," "lard," and "fish oil" in the ghee sample. The sample was received on July 9, 2024, with the report dated July 16.

However, neither the Andhra Pradesh government nor the TTD has officially confirmed the lab report. YSRCP leaders have denied the allegations.

Health Minister J P Nadda, who was also present at the event, stated that he would address the issue in a press conference later in the day.