Tirupati laddu controversy: A big controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh over the use of adulterated ghee in the laddus offered as prasad at the iconic Tirupati temple. Allegations surfaced that the ghee used contained animal fat and other substances, sparking outrage among devotees and the public.
To address these concerns, the Andhra Pradesh government released a laboratory report confirming the adulteration. In response to the findings, the state government swiftly acted by canceling the existing contract for ghee supply and awarding a new tender to a different company to ensure the use of pure ghee in the preparation of the laddus.
The former supplier, implicated in the scandal, has reportedly faced repercussions and has been blacklisted from future contracts. As a result of the changes, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which oversees the temple, has decided to use ghee from the ‘Nandini‘ brand for making the sacred Tirupati laddus. Nandini had previously supplied ghee to the temple but lost the contract due to higher pricing during the last tender process.
While brands like Amul and Mother Dairy dominate the dairy market in North India, Nandini is a leading name in the southern region. Nandini is particularly popular in Karnataka and enjoys a strong presence in neighboring states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Unlike many private dairy companies, Nandini is owned by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited (KMF), the second-largest dairy cooperative in India. KMF follows the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which operates under the Amul brand.
The roots of Nandini trace back to 1974, when the Karnataka government established the Karnataka Dairy Development Corporation (KDCC) with the goal of boosting dairy production in the state, aided by funding from the World Bank. In 1984, the organization was renamed the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Around the same time, it began marketing milk and dairy products under the brand name ‘Nandini’. The brand quickly became a household name in Karnataka and expanded its reach into surrounding states.
Today, Nandini is a major player in India’s dairy industry. According to data from the KMF website, the cooperative procures more than 86 lakh kilograms of milk daily from over 26 lakh farmers across 24,000 villages. KMF prides itself on compensating most of its farmers promptly. The company’s product lineup includes more than 140 items under the Nandini brand, ranging from milk, curd, butter, and cheese to snacks like cookies, bread, namkeen, and ice cream.
At present, MK Jagadeesh, an officer from the Karnataka Administrative Service, serves as the Managing Director and CEO of KMF, overseeing its operations and the continued success of the Nandini brand. This cooperative’s selection for supplying ghee to the Tirupati temple is seen as a reaffirmation of its reputation for quality in the region.
The decision to switch to Nandini brand ghee marks a significant step towards restoring trust in the laddus offered as prasad, a critical aspect of the spiritual experience at one of India’s most revered temples.
