No Compromise in Ghee Quality

Asserting that TTD will ensure the sanctity of the most sought-afteX Laddu Prasadam offered to Sri Venkateswara Swamy by using pure cow ghee, TTD EO Sri J Syamala Rao said there will not be any compromise on the quality of ghee used for making laddus as millions of pilgrims from across the globe visit Tirumala temple to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy with utmost devotion and there is every need to protect the sanctity and divinity of Tirumala Divyakshetram and Laddu prasadam.

Addressing media persons at the Meeting Hall of Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Friday, the EO said, the Honourable CM of AP Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu has clearly stated that the quality and taste of laddu prasadam needs to be ensured and sanctity to be restored by using pure cow ghee as it involves the sentiments of millions and millions of devotees across the globe. Following this, we started focussing on improving the quality and taste of laddus ever since the new TTD Administration has taken over. After receiving feedback from pilgrims over the poor quality of laddus in the last few years and also interacting with the Potu workers(laddu makers), for the first time TTD sent ghee supplies to an outside lab for adulteration testing. 

There were 5 suppliers of Ghee to TTD and the rates were between Rs 320 to Rs 411. Names are Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Diary, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk and AR Dairy. Prima facie these rates are not viable rates for supplying Pure Ghee.

All have been warned by the new Administration to ensure good quality Ghee otherwise samples will be sent to outside labs for testing for adulteration and will be blacklisted if found positive.

Even after warning, 4 Ghee tankers sent by AR Foods were prima facie found to be of substandard quality. 

The S-value analysis carried out on the sample sent to the reputed NDDB CALF Anand, fell outside the standard limits, suggesting the presence of foreign fats such as soya bean, sunflower, palm kernel fat or even lard and beef tallow. The acceptable S-value range for pure milk fat is between 98.05 and 104.32, but the tested sample showed values ranging from 23.22 and 116, reflecting significant deviations. These samples also indicated presence of Vegetable Oil contamination.

Now the reason for the lack of quality is not having an in-house lab. The suppliers took advantage of these deficiencies. The NDDB has come forward to donate Ghee adulteration testing equipment which will cost Rs.75 lakh equipment which is likely to come up by December or January next as a permanent solution", he maintained.

TTD temporarily stalls cow-based products used for making Srivari Prasadams. 

The EO also stated that complaints are pouring in from the devotees over the taste and quality of Anna Prasadams. Therefore TTD has formed a committee of experts and found that there are deficiencies in quality. Supplies were temporarily suspended After a thorough examination with experts a decision will be taken whether to restore the same or not.

The Additional EO of TTD Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdhary was also present.