The controversy over the alleged adulteration of the Tirupati laddoo has made Karnataka go for a massive testing drive of all prasadam (devotional food offerings) of major temples across the state.
Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy told News18 that all temples that do not use Nandini ghee to make the prasadam will now be asked to use it to ensure safety and quality for the devotees.
“There will certainly be a doubt in the minds of people after the Tirupati controversy on the prasadam being given in our Karnataka temples as well. In order to dispel any fear or concern, we have decided to test them at the CFTRI, Mysore, and ensure that they use only Nandini ghee from now on,” Reddy said. “We will only promote KMF and Nandini products and so our temples will also now be using only their three.” The minister also stated that the purity of the ingredients used as offerings to the deities and devotees will not be compromised.
News18 also spoke to KMF Managing Director MK Jagdish who reiterated that the quality and purity of Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini ghee are of the highest standards.
On the use of Nandini for the making of the Tirupati laddoo, he responded that it will always remain in its purest form, as it is in the service of Lord Venkateshwara, amidst the ongoing controversy regarding the alleged adulteration and use of animal fat in ghee supplies for the famous Tirupati laddoos.
“At any given time, we will not compromise on our quality, quantity, or providing best pricing, as we are providing top-quality ghee that has been used for the Lord for several decades and is recognised worldwide,” Jagdish told News18.
As India’s second-largest cooperative milk federation after Amul, KMF typically supplies around 14 lakh kilos of ghee every six months for the renowned Tirupati laddoos.
KMF chose not to participate in the 2023 tender process for supplying ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) after private entities quoted a lower price during the reverse bidding process. KMF opted to withdraw, as reducing prices could adversely affect local milk farmers.
This decision came amid allegations of ghee adulteration, with TTD officials conducting a full investigation into reports suggesting the presence of animal lard and beef tallow in the ghee used to make batches of laddoos as prasadam.
In August, KMF resumed its supply after the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh reached out, expressing a desire to restore the “original taste” of the famous prasadam.
KMF has been supplying ghee to the Tirupati temple for several decades, but there have been years when the brand was unable to meet demand, which officials attribute to pricing issues.
In August 2023, TTD Executive Officer Dharma Reddy claimed that Karnataka’s milk cooperative had not supplied ghee consistently over the last 20 years and that KMF had been unable to meet TTD’s quantity requirements for the laddoos.
“Nandini sells 2,500 metric tonnes in one month and can very well meet the requirement of TTD consistently for a year as and when the demand arises. We are always ready to serve Lord Venkateshwara when called upon. So the statement by Reddy does not hold water,” said another senior KMF official.
Bheema Naik, Chairman of KMF, underlined how the new TDP government, after taking over, raised questions about the exclusion of Nandini for making the laddoos and reached out to KMF to resume operations of providing ghee to the world-famous temple.
“We have started supplying ghee again after becoming the lowest bidder for 3.5 lakh kg. Our first tanker was sent a few days ago,” Naik said to News18.
Between 2013 and 2018, KMF regularly supplied 3,000 to 4,000 tons of ghee to the temple annually, with 2019 marking the last major delivery before private players took over.
News18 has analysed data over the last decade regarding the requirements and quantities supplied by KMF to TTD.
In 2023-24, KMF chose to withdraw due to issues with pricing during the tendering process. In 2022-23, KMF participated in the tender process and was the third-lowest bidder in terms of pricing. KMF officials stated they would supply the amount of ghee TTD needed based on the requirement.
In 2021-22, TTD required 2,020 MT of ghee, and KMF supplied 345 MT at Rs 392 per kilogram.
In 2020-21, no ghee was supplied by KMF. During 2019-20, TTD requested 1,150 MT, and KMF provided 1,408 MT, exceeding the requirement at Rs 368 per kg, having won the tender as the lowest bidder. In 2018-19, TTD needed 2,071 MT for the laddoos, and KMF supplied only 85 MT at Rs 324 per kg.
Between 2016 and 2018, KMF did not supply any ghee to the temple board.
In 2015-16, KMF supplied 709 MT against a requirement of 1,500 MT, sold at Rs 306 per kg. In 2014-15, KMF provided 200 MT against TTD’s requirement of 1,000 MT.
Between 2013 and 2014, KMF nearly matched TTD’s requirement of 1,000-2,000 MT, supplying 1,858 MT at Rs 264 per kg.
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