Amid the controversy over alleged contaminated ghee in the laddu prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh is setting up a state-of-the-art food testing lab in Tirupati district. Equipped with advanced tools like an electronic nose and electronic tongue imported from France, the lab will test over 60 raw materials used in laddus and other offerings. Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav says operations may begin next month. Watch for full details.

Tirumala Gets High-Tech Food Lab with ‘Electronic Nose & Tongue’ to Test Laddu Ingredients

Four men have been arrested for allegedly supplying adulterated ghee for the world-famous Tirupati laddu. Investigators claim the accused set up proxy companies and used forged documents to win tenders, despite past disqualifications for quality violations. &nbsp;
The arrested individuals are: &nbsp;
- Pomil Jai &amp; Vipin Jain &ndash; Directors of Bhole Baba Dairy and Vyshnavi Dairy &nbsp; - Apurva Chavda &ndash; CEO of Vyshnavi Dairy &nbsp; - R Rajasekaran &ndash; Managing Director of AR Dairy &nbsp;
A special CBI team, along with Andhra Pradesh Police and food safety officials, is probing the case. &nbsp;
Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-ai-summit-concludes-india-announced-as-next-host-us-warns-against-extensive-regulation-8711473"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-ai-summit-concludes-india-announced-as-next-host-us-warns-against-extensive-regulation-8711473">Action AI Summit in Paris concludes: India announced as next host, US warns against 'extensive regulation'</a>
<h2>What sparked the controversy? &nbsp;</h2>
The scandal erupted last year after a Gujarat lab detected traces of animal fat&mdash;fish oil, beef tallow and lard&mdash;in ghee samples supplied for laddu preparation at the temple. The findings triggered a nationwide uproar, leading to a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. &nbsp;
<h2>Manipulated documents and misleading bids</h2>
As per NDTV, according to a police remand report, the accused manipulated tenders.
- AR Dairy claimed it could supply six tonnes of cow milk fat daily, while actual records showed much lower procurement. &nbsp; - &nbsp;Ghee production figures were altered to meet tender requirements. &nbsp; - AR Dairy allegedly sourced ghee from Vyshnavi Dairy via Bhole Baba Dairy, repackaging it as its own. &nbsp;
Investigators also found evidence of financial incentives&mdash;Apurva Chavda reportedly offered AR Dairy a commission of Rs 2.75&ndash;3 per kg of ghee supplied. &nbsp;
Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-rejects-rumours-of-dissent-in-aap-switching-sides-is-congress-culture-8711256"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-rejects-rumours-of-dissent-in-aap-switching-sides-is-congress-culture-8711256">Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann rejects rumours of dissent in AAP; 'switching sides is Congress' culture'</a>
<h2>Past blacklisting&nbsp;</h2>
Vyshnavi Dairy and Bhole Baba Dairy had been blacklisted earlier after failing quality tests. In 2022, Tirupati temple officials flagged poor manufacturing practices at Bhole Baba Dairy. Despite this, these firms allegedly found a way back into the supply chain through fraudulent means. &nbsp;
Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maha-kumbh-2025-no-vehicle-zone-declared-in-prayagraj-ahead-of-maghi-purnima-snan-8710352"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maha-kumbh-2025-no-vehicle-zone-declared-in-prayagraj-ahead-of-maghi-purnima-snan-8710352">Maha Kumbh 2025: 'No Vehicle Zone' declared in Prayagraj ahead of Maghi Purnima Snan</a>
The Tirupati kitchen prepares around three lakh laddus daily, using 1,500 kg of ghee. With allegations of adulteration, concerns over food safety and religious sentiments intensified. Authorities are now investigating how these firms managed to secure contracts despite their disqualification, with further legal action expected against those involved.
(With inputs from agencies)

India News| Investigators claim the accused set up proxy companies and used forged documents to win tenders, despite past disqualifications for quality violations.  

Four men have been arrested for allegedly supplying adulterated ghee for the world-famous Tirupati laddu. Investigators claim the accused set up proxy companies and used forged documents to win tenders, despite past disqualifications for quality violations. The arrested individuals are: - Pomil Jai & Vipin Jain – Directors of Bhole Baba Dairy and Vyshnavi Dairy - Apurva Chavda – CEO of Vyshnavi Dairy - R Rajasekaran – Managing Director of AR Dairy A special CBI team, along with Andhra Pradesh Police and food safety officials, is probing the case. Also Read | Action AI Summit in Paris concludes: India announced as next host, US warns against 'extensive regulation' What sparked the controversy? The scandal erupted last year after a Gujarat lab detected traces of animal fat—fish oil, beef tallow and lard—in ghee samples supplied for laddu preparation at the temple. The findings triggered a nationwide uproar, leading to a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. Manipulated documents and misleading bids As per NDTV, according to a police remand report, the accused manipulated tenders. - AR Dairy claimed it could supply six tonnes of cow milk fat daily, while actual records showed much lower procurement. - Ghee production figures were altered to meet tender requirements. - AR Dairy allegedly sourced ghee from Vyshnavi Dairy via Bhole Baba Dairy, repackaging it as its own. Investigators also found evidence of financial incentives—Apurva Chavda reportedly offered AR Dairy a commission of Rs 2.75–3 per kg of ghee supplied. Also Read | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann rejects rumours of dissent in AAP; 'switching sides is Congress' culture' Past blacklisting Vyshnavi Dairy and Bhole Baba Dairy had been blacklisted earlier after failing quality tests. In 2022, Tirupati temple officials flagged poor manufacturing practices at Bhole Baba Dairy. Despite this, these firms allegedly found a way back into the supply chain through fraudulent means. Also Read | Maha Kumbh 2025: 'No Vehicle Zone' declared in Prayagraj ahead of Maghi Purnima Snan The Tirupati kitchen prepares around three lakh laddus daily, using 1,500 kg of ghee. With allegations of adulteration, concerns over food safety and religious sentiments intensified. Authorities are now investigating how these firms managed to secure contracts despite their disqualification, with further legal action expected against those involved. (With inputs from agencies)

Tirupati laddu row: Arrests reveal blacklisted dairies’ involvement in ghee fraud

On Friday, the Supreme Court directed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the claims made by the Andhra Pradesh government, led by N Chandrababu, that the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party's previous government used inferior ghee that contained animal fat to make laddus at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

Tirupati Laddu Row: SC Orders CBI-Monitored SIT Probe, Cautions Against Politicizing Case

Tirupati Laddu Row: SC Orders SIT Probe, Says ‘Do Not Want The Issue To Turn Into Political Drama’

Amid the controversy over the ghee used in the sacred laddus offered to the deity, the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is now focused on preparations for the grand Brahmotsavam festival. This nine-day celebration, expected to draw around one lakh devotees daily, will take place from October 4 to 12. On Tuesday, the temple performed its traditional cleansing ritual in anticipation of the event.

Tirupati Temple Gears Up For Mega Brahmotsavam Festival Amid Efforts To Move Past Laddu Controversy

tirupati-laddu

Tirupati Laddu, News on Tirupati Laddu, stories on Tirupati Laddu, articles on Tirupati Laddu, Tirupati Laddu stories at Wion, Tirupati Laddu news, Tirupati Laddu latest news

tirupati laddu

Tirumala Gets High-Tech Food Lab with ‘Electronic Nose & Tongue’ to Test Laddu Ingredients

Tirupati laddu row: Arrests reveal blacklisted dairies’ involvement in ghee fraud

Tirupati Laddu Row: SC Orders CBI-Monitored SIT Probe, Cautions Against Politicizing Case

Tirupati Laddu Row: SC Orders SIT Probe, Says ‘Do Not Want The Issue To Turn Into Political Drama’

Tirupati Temple Gears Up For Mega Brahmotsavam Festival Amid Efforts To Move Past Laddu Controversy