Andhra woman allegedly finds coal pieces in Tirupati laddu, complains to TTD

A woman devotee who visited the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala, has alleged that she found pieces of coal in the famous Tirupati laddu.

The Deccan Chronicle reported that the woman, identified as Devabhaktuni Yamini of Lakshmipuram village in Krishna District, noticed the coal on Friday, as she was about to eat the laddu.

The DC report adds that the TTD staff allegedly asked her if she was Christian, when she went to submit a written complaint, and insisted on a receipt.

This comes two weeks after reports that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the governing body of the temple, may soon have to apply for a central license to run its kitchen, after orders from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Hindu had earlier reported that the FSSAI also asked the Central Licensing Authority in Chennai to inspect the ‘pottu’ used in preparing the temple’s famous laddus.

This order came after an RTI application by a Bengaluru-based activist in December last year.

This would mean that the TTD would have to follow regulations of the Food Safety Standards Act.

At the time, it was reported that Director of Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Suneeti Toteja, wrote a letter which read, “The applicability of the Act is not affected whether the food is purchased or distributed free of cost. TTD therefore has to obtain a licence and fulfil all responsibilities of an FBO as stipulated in Section 23 of the FSS Act.”

In his compliant, the RTI activist reportedly wrote, “The cooks who are in preparation of these laddus in large quantity are found wearing no proper dress. They are working in half naked dress and found sweating due to heavy heat at the kitchen. These cooks are not wearing any hand glove, apron and other safety norms.”

The laddu is a major source of the TTD’s revenue and adds several crore rupees to its annual budget. It is made with flour, sugar, ghee, oil, cardamom and dry fruits.

However, objects like iron pins, key chains and even gutka packets have been previously found in the laddus.

In 2016, a total of 10.46 crore laddus, were sold as ‘prasadam’. In its 2017 budget, the TTD stated that the sale of laddus was expected to fetch Rs 165 crore.

In 2015, the laddu entered its 300th year.

Temple officials say the sacred offering was introduced on August 2, 1715.

The laddu is in great demand on special occasions. The authorities sell the prasad round the clock during Brahmotsavam.