This is an archive article published on September 23, 2024
FSSAI sends show cause notice to company supplying ghee to Tirupati temple
A R Dairy has been asked to file a reply by Monday, “failing which suitable action will be initiated as per food safety and standards act 2006 and regulations made there under”.
The country’s apex food safety regulator has sent a show cause notice to A R Dairy, which was one of the suppliers of ghee to the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, asking why its licence should not be suspended as its product allegedly did not meet the standards set for ghee.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notice, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) — which manages the Tirupati temple — sent the samples to Gujarat’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food for testing.
This comes after allegations emerged that the ghee that was being used to make the laddoo offerings at the temple had been adulterated with animal fat. A R Dairy, a Tamil Nadu-based company, has denied allegations that their ghee was adulterated.
“After analysis, the sample from your firm … has failed to meet the parameters and your firm has been blacklisted. In view of all the above stated… show cause as to why your central licence shall not be suspended for contravention,” the notice said.
Out of the four ghee samples sent for analysis, one failed the tests, according to persons in the know.
The company has been asked to file a reply by Monday, “failing which suitable action will be initiated as per food safety and standards act 2006 and regulations made there under”.
The company holds a central licence that is valid till June 2029.
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On Monday, rituals were conducted at the tanks used to store ghee in the temple, and the storage area where other ingredients that go into preparing the laddoos and other offerings to the deity are stored, as well as the kitchen, and the trays used to carry the offerings.
Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme.
Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports.
Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan.
She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times.
When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More