'Never Supplied Ghee to TTD': Amul Issues Clarification Amid Tirupati Laddoos Row

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati temple laddoos, Amul, a leading Indian dairy brand, on Friday issued a statement and confirmed that it has never supplied ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). For the unversed, the TTD oversees the preparation of the laddoos.

Amul further asserted that its ghee is exclusively made from milk at its state-of-the-art, ISO-certified production facilities. The company assured the public that it maintains the highest standards of quality and purity in its products, distancing itself from the controversy.

What Did The Amul Say?

“This is in reference to some social media posts mentioning that Amul Ghee was being supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). We wish to inform that we have never supplied Amul Ghee to TTD,” Amul said in a statement.

“Amul Ghee is made from high-quality pure milk fat. The milk received at our dairies passes through stringent quality checks including adulteration detection as specified by FSSAI. This post is being issued to stop this misinformation campaign against Amul,” the statement added.

Tirupati Laddoos Row 

A massive controversy has erupted over the alleged use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the preparation of the world renowned Tirupati laddu. The ruling Telugu Desam Party claimed that the adulteration has been confirmed by Gujarat -based livestock laboratory, NDDB CALF Ltd on the ghee samples.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy in a press conference displayed the purported lab report which apparently confirmed the presence of "beef tallow" in the given ghee sample.

The purported 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.

However, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from either the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

CALF (Centre for Analysis and learning in Livestock & Food) is a multidisciplinary analytical laboratory at NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) based in Gujarat 's Anand.

Andhra Chief Minister and TDP supemo N Chandrababu Naidu had on Wednesday alleged the previous YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati laddu, a consecrated sweet. The allegation has been vehemently denied by the opposition YSR Congress Party.