Food Safety Department Of Andhra Pradesh Made It Mandatory For Tirupati Laddus To Obtain Licence

It was only last month that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India charged Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam for violating safety norms while making laddus.

Upon investigating, they found nuts, bolts, key chains, and Pan Parag covers in the laddus.

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The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam makes these ¡®Tirupati Laddus¡¯ that are considered prasadam by devotees. The Food Safety Management System (FSMS) stated that these laddus, as per definition of food under the Food Safety Standards Act of India, are food, and thus, it makes sense that they adhere to the quality check.

¡°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,¡± the letter addressed to the Commissioner of Food Safety, Andhra Pradesh, said.

Back in July, T Narasimha Murthy filed a petition to FSSAI seeking an investigation. ¡°The deficiencies are noticed at every stage, including manufacture, storage, distribution and sale. Materials such as bolts, nuts, key chains and gutka covers have been found in the laddus,¡± he alleged.

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¡°Regular reports on the health condition of the cooks should be submitted to the health officer and a fitness certificate should be obtained,¡± he added. But that's not all. He also demanded that a bill should be generated on the purchase of these laddus, and the packing should carry details about the ingredients and date of manufacture and expiry.

Following this, Joint Executive Officer of TTD went to inspect the ¡®potu¡¯ (kitchen) where the laddus are prepared. However, permission was denied on the grounds that the ¡®potu¡¯ is an ¡®auspicious place¡¯ where outsiders are not allowed.

We're only justified in knowing what we are consuming. Just because TTD a sacrosanct institute doesn't mean people can be deprived of information.