Tirupati laddus did contain beef fat, fish oil, confirms report by Gujarat private lab

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had alleged that the previous YSR government had used animal fat and substandard ingredients in making the Tirupati laddus. A report by NDDB CALF, a private laboratory focused on testing animal feed and milk and milk products and based in Anand, Gujarat, has now found that the samples of the ghee used in making Tirupati laddus contained foreign fat, including palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow and lard (obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig).

The Tirupati Laddu prasadam is given at the revered Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, which is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Naidu, while speaking at the NDA legislature party meeting on Wednesday (September 18) had declared that animal fat was used instead of ghee to make the temple's signature laddus. The chief minister asserted that pure ghee was now being used and everything has been sanitised at the temple leading to improved quality.

Malicious: YSRCP

Reacting to the allegation, YSRCP termed Naidu's allegation as "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.

Sacred temple

However, earlier, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh too had targeted the Jagan Mohan Reddy government over the issue.

"The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam," he said in a post on X.

The lab reports can be seen below