'Action Will Be Taken': Health Minister JP Nadda Seeks Report From Andhra CM Naidu On Tirupati Laddoo Row

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday sought a detailed report from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu over the allegations regarding the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos, a claim that has ignited political slugfest and concern among devotees.

Addressing the reporters in New Delhi, Nadda said, “I spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu after getting information about this and took details from him. I have asked him to share the available report so that I can examine it.”

He added that the Centre will coordinate with state authorities and action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. “I will also speak to the state regulators and investigate this. Suitable action will be taken as per the food safety standards. As of now, I have asked for the report and we will examine it,” the Health Minister said.

Food Minister Seeks Probe

Earlier, Food Minister Pralhad Joshi had demanded an investigation into allegations made by Naidu regarding the usage of ‘beef tallow’, ‘lard’ (relating to pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee used for laddoos at Tirupati temple.

“Whatever the Andhra Chief Minister has said is a matter of serious concern. A detailed enquiry is required and the culprit should be punished,” Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of a global food regulators summit here.

Tirupati Laddoo Row

During an NDA legislative party meeting on Wednesday, Naidu claimed that the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus.

During a press briefing, TDP claimed that a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory has confirmed adulteration in ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.

Flagging a purported lab report, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed the presence of ‘beef tallow, lard’ and fish oil in the ghee samples. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024, and the lab report was dated July 16.