The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken a major technological step to ensure the purity of ghee used in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddu, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding its quality. The temple administration is setting up a modern food testing laboratory equipped with advanced electronic sensing technologies such as “E-tongue” and “E-nose” systems.
The decision comes after concerns were raised over possible adulteration in the ghee supplied for the sacred offering. Authorities said the new laboratory will help maintain strict quality control over raw materials used in the preparation of temple prasadam.
The laboratory project is estimated to cost around ₹25 crore and is already about 90 percent complete. Officials expect the facility to become operational next month.
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High-Tech Quality Monitoring for Temple Prasadam
The proposed testing facility will conduct detailed quality checks on nearly 60 types of raw materials used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus. These include ghee, dry fruits and other ingredients used in the traditional recipe.
According to Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav, the advanced testing system will be capable of detecting even microscopic changes in the quality of ghee and other food items.
The introduction of electronic sensory technology is aimed at eliminating any possibility of contamination or adulteration in temple offerings, which are considered highly sacred by devotees.
Officials said the laboratory will follow global food safety standards and ensure continuous monitoring of supply materials before they are used in prasadam production.
French-Made ‘E-Tongue’ and ‘E-Nose’ Systems
The E-tongue technology, being procured from France, is designed to analyse the taste profile of food substances and detect adulteration through chemical signature variations.
Unlike traditional testing methods, the electronic tongue system works by measuring subtle molecular differences in liquid samples, allowing scientists to identify contamination even at very low levels.
Similarly, the E-nose system will analyse aroma patterns to detect impurities in ghee and other ingredients. The device uses sensor arrays that mimic human olfactory functions but provide much more precise results.
Experts believe that the combination of these technologies will significantly strengthen quality assurance mechanisms inside the temple food supply chain.
Political Response to Court Decisions
The development comes amid legal and political debate over the Tirupati laddu issue. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) welcomed the decision of the High Court, which dismissed a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenging the state government’s move to form a single-member committee to review the SIT report related to the controversy.
The Supreme Court also rejected a related petition filed by Swamy seeking judicial review of the committee’s formation.
The state government has maintained that the committee was constituted to ensure transparency and investigate allegations related to ghee quality.
Strengthening Public Trust
TTD authorities emphasised that the primary objective of installing the high-tech laboratory is to restore public confidence in the quality of temple offerings.
Temple management said that regular quality inspections will be conducted on supply materials to ensure compliance with safety standards. Authorities stressed that the sanctity of prasadam production will remain a top priority.
The temple board currently manages the production of laddu prasadam, which is distributed to millions of devotees every year.
With the introduction of E-tongue and E-nose technology, Tirupati temple authorities are attempting to create one of the most advanced religious food safety monitoring systems in the country. Officials hope that the initiative will resolve quality concerns and ensure that temple prasadam continues to meet both spiritual and scientific standards of purity.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
