Lab Report Confirms Animal Fats, Beef Tallow in Tirupati Laddoos

Hyderabad: A lab report has confirmed that the prasadam (sacred offering) at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh contains animal fats and fish oil. The NDDB CALF lab, which tests animal feed and dairy products, found that the ghee used in the famed Tirupati laddoos included foreign fats like palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow and lard.

This revelation has reignited a political and religious controversy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had accused the former YSR Congress (YSRCP) government of using substandard ingredients, including animal fats, in the laddoo preparation.

In response, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh criticized the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration, expressing shock at the use of such ingredients in the prasadam, which is considered highly sacred.

The YSRCP has dismissed Naidu’s claims as “malicious,” accusing him of undermining the sanctity of Tirumala and Hindu faith for political gain. Rajya Sabha member Subba Reddy condemned Naidu’s comments as damaging and baseless.

In contrast, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila has called for a CBI investigation to verify if animal fats were indeed used. She stressed that such allegations have hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called the issue “serious” and demanded accountability for those involved in using animal fats. BJP MLA T. Raja Singh has also condemned the use of beef fat and fish oil in the sacred prasadam, framing it as an attack on cultural and religious values.