A political storm erupts in Andhra Pradesh as TDP alleges the presence of 'beef tallow' and 'lard' in Tirupati laddus, based on a controversial lab report. The claims, made by N. Chandrababu Naidu, raise serious questions about ingredient quality and have prompted calls for an investigation.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu -based A R Dairy Food Private Limited, which is at the centre of a raging row over allegations that the ghee it supplied to prepare famous Tirupati laddu contained animal fat, on Friday dismissed the accusations of adulteration levelled against it.

Amid Tirupati laddu row, the Andhra Pradesh state government has initiated a thorough investigation into practices employed during the previous administration.

According to reports, beef tallow has been traditionally used during cooking, candle-making and even as a lubricant

On Friday, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) reported finding 'lard' (pig fat) and other impurities in ghee, based on a lab report.

The Karnataka government issued a circular instructing all temples coming under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department, to maintain quality in 'prasadam' prepared there.

Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for an investigation into Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu's allegations regarding animal fat in Tirupati laddus. A Gujarat lab reportedly confirmed adulteration in ghee samples,

The Dindigul-based company, A R Dairy Food Private Limited, in the eye of the storm, has denied allegations of adulteration.

In a press conference on Thursday, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy displayed the purported lab report which apparently confirmed the presence of “beef tallow”, "lard" (relating to pig fat) and fish oil in the given ghee sample.

Lawyers on behalf of the YSRC party moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court bench seeking a monitored investigation in the Tirupati Laddu prasad row. In a shocking revelation, a lab test report of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on July 23,