The country’s apex food safety regulator has sent a show cause notice to A R Dairy, which was one of the suppliers of ghee to the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, asking why its licence should not be suspended as its product allegedly did not meet the standards set for ghee.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notice, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) — which manages the Tirupati temple — sent the samples to Gujarat’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food for testing.
This comes after allegations emerged that the ghee that was being used to make the laddoo offerings at the temple had been adulterated with animal fat. A R Dairy, a Tamil Nadu-based company, has denied allegations that their ghee was adulterated.
“After analysis, the sample from your firm … has failed to meet the parameters and your firm has been blacklisted. In view of all the above stated… show cause as to why your central licence shall not be suspended for contravention,” the notice said.
Out of the four ghee samples sent for analysis, one failed the tests, according to persons in the know.
The company has been asked to file a reply by Monday, “failing which suitable action will be initiated as per food safety and standards act 2006 and regulations made there under”.
The company holds a central licence that is valid till June 2029.
On Monday, rituals were conducted at the tanks used to store ghee in the temple, and the storage area where other ingredients that go into preparing the laddoos and other offerings to the deity are stored, as well as the kitchen, and the trays used to carry the offerings.
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