Allegations of Ghee Adulteration
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a show cause notice to A R Dairy, a Tamil Nadu-based supplier of ghee to the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The notice follows allegations that the ghee used in the temple’s laddoo offerings may have been adulterated with animal fat. A R Dairy has denied these claims, maintaining that their product complies with the required standards.
Testing and Results
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, sent ghee samples to Gujarat’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food for testing. Out of four samples submitted for analysis, one reportedly failed the quality tests, according to sources familiar with the matter. The results prompted FSSAI to issue the notice, which questions why the company’s central license should not be suspended for failing to meet ghee standards.
FSSAI’s Response
The FSSAI notice highlighted that the sample from A R Dairy did not meet the required parameters and resulted in the company being blacklisted. The company has been given until Monday to file a reply to the allegations. FSSAI warned that if the company fails to respond by the deadline, it would face actions under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
Rituals Conducted at Temple
In response to the allegations, the temple management performed rituals in the tanks to store ghee and other areas involved in preparing the sacred laddoos, including the kitchen and the trays used to carry the offerings. These measures were undertaken to maintain the sanctity of the temple’s offerings.
