What is Beef Tallow? Understanding the Animal Fat Allegedly Used in Tirupati Laddu Prasad

Controversy Over Tirupati Laddu: A major controversy erupted over the alleged use of beef tallow in the preparation of the Tirupati laddu. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that adulteration has been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory.

TDP’s Allegation: TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, during a press conference, presented a lab report that supposedly confirmed the presence of “beef tallow” in the ghee samples.

What is Beef Tallow?: Beef tallow is rendered fat derived from cuts of beef, such as rump roast, ribs, and steaks. It is obtained by melting pure fat and has a texture similar to soft butter at room temperature.

Lab Report Findings: The lab report also allegedly identified “lard” (pig fat) and fish oil in the samples, with the report dated July 16, 2024.

No Official Confirmation: The Andhra Pradesh government and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Tirupati temple, have not officially confirmed the lab report.

Lab Details: The laboratory, Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock & Food (CALF), is a part of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) located in Gujarat’s Anand.

Chandrababu Naidu’s Allegation: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using substandard ingredients and animal fats in making the Tirupati laddu. The YSR Congress Party denied these allegations.

TDP Government Inquiry: The TDP government, in June 2024, appointed senior IAS officer J Syamala Rao as the executive officer of TTD and initiated an inquiry into the quality of the laddu due to complaints about its taste and texture.

Expert Committee: TTD formed a committee of experts, including dairy and food scientists, to examine the quality of the laddu and the ghee used. The committee sent ghee samples to NDDB, which confirmed the presence of foreign fats.

Action Taken: Based on the findings, TTD returned the ghee supplied by AR Dairy Foods, Tamil Nadu, and blacklisted the contractor. The Karnataka Milk Federation was selected as the new ghee supplier.