Tirupati Laddoo Row: Reasons, Repercussions Of Temple's Fallout With KMF's Nandini Over Ghee Supply

Amid growing outrage over allegations of animal fat being used in the famed Tirupati laddoos, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which produces Nandini ghee, has addressed the controversy surrounding its contract with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The uproar stems from the entry of a new ghee supplier after KMF decided to pull out of the bidding process, raising concerns about the quality of the ghee used in the laddus.

In 2023, KMF chose not to participate in the tender process for supplying ghee to the Tirupati temple, citing its inability to match the low prices quoted by other companies.

At that time, KMF was selling ghee at Rs 400 per kg and stated that lowering prices would compromise quality and cause financial losses for the federation, which is focused on supporting farmers, reported News18.

As a result, private players began supplying ghee to the temple. However, concerns about quality quickly surfaced, culminating in the recent allegations.

Bheema Naik, Chairman of KMF, explained the situation, stating, "After the new government came to power, TTD members did a press meet raising questions on why ghee from other brands was purchased, keeping Nandini out of it. What's the intent? They had written to us and we have again started providing ghee. We have become the lowest bidder for providing 3.5 lakh kg ghee. We have sent the first tanker a few days back."

KMF's Nandini ghee is highly regarded across South India and is even exported internationally. Between 2013 and 2018, KMF regularly supplied 3,000 to 4,000 tons of ghee to TTD each year, with 2019 being the last major delivery before the tender process led to its exit.

Reflecting on this, Naik expressed pride in once again being able to supply ghee for the temple's laddus, saying, "We are happy that we are able to supply ghee again because Tirupati has crores of devotees. We feel proud if they use Nandini ghee in the laddoos. Nandini is our pride, representing the hard work of 27 lakh farmers from Karnataka. Not just the state, but the entire nation trusts our ghee. It is even being exported to Dubai and Qatar."

The decision by private suppliers to offer ghee at significantly lower prices than KMF had raised concerns about whether quality standards were being maintained, especially given that Nandini ghee, backed by a government-supported federation, had been forced out of the tender process due to the unsustainable pricing.