TTD aims to turn water and food lab into model facility
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam plans to upgrade its laboratory to serve as a national standard for religious institutions, according to The Hindu.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is working to upgrade its Water and Food Analysis Laboratory to maintain high quality standards for the food and drinking water provided to devotees, according to The Hindu.
TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary said on Wednesday that the goal is to make the laboratory a model facility for all religious institutions in India.
The facility was set up in 11 months with help from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and was opened by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on March 21.
The lab tests food ingredients during procurement and analyses cooked food to meet FSSAI standards. During the recent Brahmotsavams, nearly 2,500 food samples were tested alongside daily drinking water checks.
Advanced equipment at the lab assesses 11 quality parameters for the Tirumala laddu prasadam, including sugar, moisture, and cashew content. Ghee is also tested daily before use in laddu production.
Chowdary stated that nearly 99 per cent of supplies pass tests, noting that the threat of blacklisting helps ensure quality. The laboratory currently has 34 staff members, but eight more will be added soon to reach a total of 42 personnel.