World · India Bureau
ED arrests Tirupati laddu supplier over alleged ghee adulteration
India's Enforcement Directorate has arrested the promoter of Sukrithi Foods in connection with an investigation into adulterated ghee supplied to the Tirupati temple. The probe reveals refined palm oil and other chemicals were mixed into products marketed as pure cow ghee.
LSN India ·
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kailash Chand Mangala, promoter of Sukrithi Foods, following an investigation into the supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumalai Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the administrative body overseeing the renowned Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.
The investigation uncovered that products marketed as pure cow ghee actually contained refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and various chemical additives. These adulterated products were supplied to TTD, which uses the ghee in the preparation of the temple's famous laddu offerings.
The case highlights quality control concerns in the supply chain for religiously significant products. TTD is one of India's most visited temples, with millions of devotees purchasing laddus as blessed offerings, making the integrity of ingredients a matter of considerable public concern.
The ED's action against Sukrithi Foods forms part of broader scrutiny into food adulteration practices. The arrested promoter is expected to face questioning regarding the procurement of raw materials, manufacturing processes, and the distribution chain that supplied the adulterated ghee to the temple authorities.