Union Health Minister asks for report on Tirupati laddoos amid animal fat row

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report in connection with the alleged use of animal fat and other sub-standard ingredients in the making of famous Tirupati laddoos.
Speaking to the media on the issue, Nadda said that the report will be examined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and action will be taken after that.
“I have spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and asked for a report on it… FSSAI will examine the report thoroughly and action will be taken after that,” the Union Health Minister said.
A massive controversy broke out earlier this week after N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat and other sub-standard ingredients were used for making Tirupati laddoos during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
On September 20, a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory, NDDB CALF Ltd, also confirmed that ghee (clarified butter) used to make the laddoos, offered to devotees as prasad at Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh, contained animal fats and fish oil.
The copy of the report was shared by ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy.
“The lab reports of samples certify that beef tallow and animal fat – lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala and also the S value is only 19.7,” Reddy said while speaking on the issue.
The lab report also claimed the presence of “lard” (relating to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024, and the lab report was dated July 16.
Meanwhile, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rejected the allegations, terming them “malicious” and said that the TDP supremo would “stoop to any level for political gain”.
YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Subba Reddy alleged that Naidu had severely damaged the sanctity of the holy Tirumala and the faith of crores of Hindus with his comments.
“His comments about the Tirumala prasadam are extremely malicious. No person would speak such words or make such accusations,” said Subba Reddy in a post on X.