In a significant development concerning food safety, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a show cause notice to A R Dairy Foods Private Limited, a Tamil Nadu-based supplier, for allegedly providing adulterated ghee used in the iconic Tirupati laddu. This action follows serious allegations regarding the quality of ingredients used in the preparation of one of India’s most revered offerings.
The controversy erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous government of utilizing substandard ingredients, specifically ghee reportedly adulterated with animal fats such as fish oil and beef tallow. This has sparked outrage among devotees and raised concerns about food safety practices at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). TTD Executive Officer J. Syamala Rao confirmed the supply of adulterated ghee from A R Dairy Foods, reinforcing the gravity of the situation.
"We have been made aware of the issues concerning the quality of ghee supplied to us, and we take this matter very seriously," Rao stated. The FSSAI's notice came in response to findings from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Gujarat, which indicated that samples of ghee from A R Dairy Foods failed to meet safety standards and contained foreign fats. A senior official from the Ministry of Health revealed that four samples collected from the company did not conform to the necessary food safety criteria.
In light of these findings, the FSSAI is questioning the validity of A R Dairy Foods' central license under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. Notably, A R Dairy Foods has been a supplier to TTD for the past four years, raising concerns about the implications for the quality of offerings at the temple. In a swift response to the allegations, TTD has blacklisted A R Dairy Foods following the NDDB's unfavorable testing outcomes.
The company has been given until Monday to respond to the FSSAI's notice regarding the potential suspension of its license. Legal action may follow should the explanations provided prove unsatisfactory. As the investigation continues, devotees and stakeholders await clarity on the situation, hoping for stringent measures to uphold the sacred quality of the Tirupati laddu. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of food safety in religious offerings and the welfare of consumers.