Roorkee: Nationwide concerns have emerged regarding the quality of ghee supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, with allegations of animal fat adulteration linked to the Bhole Baba Organic Private Limited, a ghee manufacturing company in Bhagwanpur Industrial Area, Haridwar district of Uttarakhand.
On Sunday, a team from the Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand Food Safety Department officials conducted a raid at this ghee manufacturing company. The team collected ghee samples stored at the company and seized documents. The investigation is ongoing, and access to the company premises remains restricted.
Over 70,000 kilograms of ghee were supplied to Tirupati temple during June and July
Nationwide, there has been considerable discussion about the quality of ghee supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), amid allegations of animal fat adulteration. Experts have traced some of this ghee to Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Private Limited in Haridwar. The Andhra Pradesh Commercial Tax Department uncovered significant irregularities and sought assistance from their counterparts in Uttarakhand. Reports reveal that over 70,000 kilograms of ghee were supplied from this factory to Tirupati Balaji Temple during June and July.
No Ghee production was found at the factory
During the raid on Sunday, the Food Safety Department officials did not find any employees on the factory premises and no ghee production was taking place. They seized ghee cans and wrappers, but no actual product was available. The team of the Food Safety Department has collected ghee, milk and other samples here. Senior Food Safety Officer Yogendra Pandey said, “The matter is under investigation. Samples of ghee and other items found in the company have been collected. We have been informed that till now 70 thousand kilograms of ghee has been supplied to the temple.”
No production had taken place for the past month
District Food Safety Officer Mahima Nand Joshi reported receiving a complaint about possible adulteration of their desi ghee. When officials inspected the factory, workers claimed that no production had taken place for the past month, and neither the manager nor the operator were available for comment. The Central Investigation Team is investigating the matter, and a notice will be sent to the factory operator regarding these findings.
