Amaravati, February 23 Amidst controversies regarding the quality of ghee supplied to the TTD, the temple body is set to deploy a modern food testing laboratory equipped with advanced systems such as an "e-tongue" and "e-nose" to ensure stringent quality checks and maintain transparency in supplies.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) administers the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has said that the ultra-modern laboratory, costing Rs 25 crore, is nearing completion.
"The 'e-Tongue and e-Nose' (both electronic equipment) in this ultra-modern food laboratory can detect even micro-level quality deterioration in ghee. These labs will soon be available in Tirumala," Yadav said in an official press release.
According to Yadav, the 'e-Tongue' system, being procured from France, is capable of detecting even micro-level deterioration in ghee and other raw materials by analysing taste patterns with high precision.
Similarly, the 'e-Nose' system functions by assessing aroma profiles, enabling authorities to identify adulteration and quality defects in ghee and other ingredients used in preparing prasadam.
Currently, only a limited number of laboratories across the country have these facilities, the release said. However, for the first time in Andhra Pradesh, an ultra-modern lab with advanced facilities is coming up in a pilgrim centre, it added.
The Rs 25 crore facility is 90 per cent complete and will begin operations next month, he said, adding that the labs will test around 60 raw materials used in preparing laddu prasadam (consecrated food), including ghee and dry fruits.