Thu Sep 19 17:09:15 UTC 2024: ## Tirupati Laddoos Controversy: Andhra Pradesh Government Claims Lab Tests Confirm Presence of Fish Oil and Beef Tallow

**Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh:** A major controversy has erupted over the ingredients of the sacred Tirupati laddoos, with the Andhra Pradesh government claiming laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of fish oil and beef tallow in the ghee used to make the sweet.

The allegations were made by Andhra Pradesh Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary Nara Lokesh Naidu, who stated that samples of the ghee were sent to NDDB CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food) for testing, which confirmed the presence of animal fats.

The TDP claims that the ghee was procured from multiple agencies and vendors during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime, and that the current government is investigating the source of the alleged adulteration.

The controversy began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using animal fat instead of ghee to prepare the laddoos. This accusation was vehemently denied by the YSRCP, but they have remained silent since the alleged test results were released by the TDP.

The YSRCP leadership, including former TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy, has dismissed the allegations, stating that the ghee used was of top quality and derived from indigenous cows. They also pointed out that the officials responsible for procurement of ghee worked under both the TDP and YSRCP regimes.

However, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Sharmila has demanded accountability from Chief Minister Naidu, calling for a high-level inquiry into the matter to protect the sanctity of the temple.

The controversy has sparked widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, has yet to comment on the allegations.

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