Amid allegations surrounding the use of animal fat in the preparation of prasada at the Tirumala temple, dairy giant Amul issued a clarification on Friday, stating that it had never supplied ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
Amul response to the TTD controversy
In response to widespread social media posts, Amul posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that its ghee has never been supplied to the temple. “We wish to inform that we have never supplied Amul Ghee to TTD,” the statement read.
Amul emphasized that its ghee is produced from pure milk fat at ISO-certified facilities and undergoes stringent quality checks as per FSSAI standards. “Amul Ghee is made from high-quality pure milk fat, and all milk received at our dairies passes through rigorous checks, including adulteration detection,” the statement added.
The controversy emerged after former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddus during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government’s tenure.
YSRCP leader and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy responded by accusing Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of politicizing religious matters. “The tender process occurs every six months, and qualification criteria have not changed for decades,” Reddy said, adding that products undergo strict certification and rejected items had been flagged 18 times during his government’s tenure.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda intervened, speaking to Naidu and requesting a full report on the allegations. Nadda assured that the Centre would investigate the matter and take appropriate action based on food safety standards.
Amid the row, TDP MP Sribharat Mathukumilli claimed lab reports indicated that the ghee used in making Tirupati laddus contained a mix of vegetable oils and animal fats, including beef and pig fat. He described the findings as deeply shocking, stating that they had “shaken devotees and followers of Hinduism across the country.”
Jagan Mohan Reddy also announced plans to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, accusing Naidu of distorting facts and calling for action against him.
The allegations have sparked widespread concern, with the controversy reverberating beyond Tirumala, including reports of similar issues at Simhachalam Temple. The TTD has yet to comment on the findings.
