New Delhi: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), responsible for overseeing the esteemed Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, has announced the establishment of a sensory panel to evaluate the quality of food offerings. The move comes in response to recent allegations regarding the adulteration of ingredients in the temple’s renowned laddu prasadam. During a press briefing on Sunday, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao said that the panel will assess food samples based on their aroma, taste and texture.
TTD to enhance food quality control
“A sensory panel has been established which will evaluate food samples on the parameters of aroma, taste and texture…To ensure that any ‘doshas’ which may have taken place during various programs or religious ceremonies conducted for Lord Venkateshwara, every year TTD conducts Pavitraotsavams,” Rao said.
Rao further said that TTD has introduced external ghee testing for adulteration, a first in its history. Suppliers of adulterated products will face blacklisting and legal action. TTD is also establishing an in-house testing laboratory to enhance quality control, he added.
SIT probe launched
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities in the Tirupati temple’s governing body. The move comes amid accusations that animal fat was used to adulterate the ghee for the temple’s famous laddoos, NDTV reported.
Earlier, the ruling Telugu Desam Party accused Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, the former Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust and former Executive Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy of committing various irregularities in the management of the temple over the past five years. The party stated that these individuals would be held accountable for their actions.
Last week, the chief minister raised concerns over a report from a state-run laboratory in Gujarat, according to which ghee samples from Tirupati contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow and lard during the term of the previous government led by YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
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