Investigation finds synthetic ghee from vegetable oils in sacred prasadam supply, spotlighting major procurement fraud.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a formal chargesheet in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case, concluding that the ghee supplied for the famed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) prasadam was not derived from traditional milk-based dairy fat, but instead was a synthetic blend of vegetable oils and additives. Lab analyses showed no measurable animal fat, disproving earlier political allegations about beef tallow or lard contamination in the sacred laddu offerings.
Tests on samples collected from tankers supplied by firms such as AR Dairy and Bhole Baba Dairy revealed extremely low levels of milk fat, with fatty acid profiles dominated by palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Cholesterol was absent in some samples, reinforcing that the material was primarily plant-based and synthetic, not authentic dairy ghee.
The chargesheet stems from a high-profile government probe triggered in September 2024 when Andhra Pradesh political leaders claimed animal fat-laced ghee had been used in laddu, sparking national attention and religious concern. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CBI was formed to investigate procurement integrity and ingredient authenticity in the temple supply chain.
Ultimately, the investigation identified major procurement irregularities and alleged collusion between suppliers and certain insiders, resulting in nearly 68 lakh kilograms of fake ghee worth an estimated ₹250 crore being supplied over several years. The chargesheet names 36 accused, including dairy officials and external experts, and moves the matter into the judicial phase.
While the chargesheet clears the specific claim of animal fat adulteration, the use of synthetic, non-dairy ghee in prasadam raises serious concerns about quality oversight, food authenticity standards and trust in religious supply chains. The case highlights how complex procurement in large institutional settings can be vulnerable to sophisticated ingredient adulteration.
Source: OpIndia – https://www.opindia.com/news-updates/made-from-synthetic-ghee-no-animal-fat-present-cbi-files-chargesheet-in-tirupati-laddu-case/
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