Tirupati laddu news: What are ‘beef tallow’ and ‘lard’ found in consecrated sweet? TDP vs YSRCP row explained

A controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that ghee used to prepare Tirupati laddus, offered at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, contains "beef tallow," "lard," and other substandard ingredients. The allegation is backed by a lab report where the samples of the Tirupati laddus were sent for testing.

The claims emerged on September 18 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the previous Jagan Reddy-led YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati laddus. YSRCP has, however, rejected all allegations.

As the lab report showed presence of “beef tallow”, “lard” and “fish oil” in Tirupati laddu samples as “foreign fat”, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy displayed it at a press conference to back the party's claims.

He said, “The lab reports of samples certify that beef tallow and animal fat - lard, and fish oil - were used in the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala, and also the S value is only 19.7.”

Tirupati laddus, a globally renowned prasad valued for their taste and religious importance, have sparked controversy over alleged animal fat content, raising concerns about both health and religious beliefs. But what exactly are the “beef tallow” and “lard” that the Tirupati laddus are allegedly said to contain?

WHAT IS BEEF TALLOW?

Beef tallow is fat extracted from the fatty tissue of bovines. Tallow is made by heating and melting fat skimmed from meat, which turns into a liquid that solidifies into a flexible, butter-like substance when cooled to room temperature.

What else is made from beef tallow? According to reports, beef tallow has been traditionally used during cooking, candle-making and even as a lubricant.

WHAT IS LARD?

Lard is a soft, creamy white solid or semisolid fat with a butter-like consistency, produced by rendering or melting the fatty tissue of hogs – domesticated pigs. Lard is used for cooking purposes such as frying, sauteing and baking purposes.

WHAT DID THE LAB REPORT SAY?

The samples of the Tirupati laddu were sent to a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16. The purported lab report showed the presence of “lard”, “beef tallow” and “fish oil” in the samples.

There has been, however, no confirmation from either the Andhra Pradesh government or Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.