Tirupati laddu controversy: Now which company will supply ghee to temple? How much do you know about this company

Tirupati laddu controversy: There is a big controversy in Andhra Pradesh regarding the use of ghee adulterated with animal fat and other substances in the laddus offered as prasad at the renowned Tirupati temple. The Andhra Pradesh government has made a lab report public that confirms these findings. In response to this revelation, the state government has awarded a new tender for the supply of pure ghee for the laddus to a different company. 

Additionally, the previous supplier has reportedly faced consequences and has been blacklisted. Moving forward, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) will utilize 'Nandini' brand ghee for the Tirupati Prasadam (laddu). This brand had previously supplied ghee to the temple but was unable to secure the tender due to higher costs.

Nandini's Prominence in South India

Amul and Mother Dairy are well-known brands in North India, while 'Nandini' holds a prominent position in South India. Nandini brand milk is particularly popular in Karnataka, and it also has a strong presence in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Goa. Unlike private dairy companies, Nandini is a cooperative firm owned by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited (KMF), which is the second-largest dairy cooperative federation in India. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), associated with the Amul brand, ranks first.

Packaged milk and other products marketed under the brand name Nandini

In 1974, the Karnataka government established the Karnataka Dairy Development Corporation (KDCC) to initiate dairy projects with support from the World Bank. A decade later, in 1984, the organization was renamed the 'Karnataka Milk Federation' (KMF). During this time, the company began marketing packaged milk and other products under the brand name 'Nandini'.

Company buys more than 86 lakh kg of milk daily

In a short time, 'Nandini' became the most famous brand of Karnataka. Not only this, it also made a strong hold in the neighboring states. According to the information available on the website of KMF, the dairy company buys more than 86 lakh kg of milk daily from 26 lakh farmers of 24,000 villages. At the same time, the company claims that it pays most of the farmers for the milk daily. KMF sells more than 140 products including milk, curd, paneer, butter, cheese, cookies, bread, namkeen, ice cream under the name 'Nandini'. Currently, Karnataka Administrative Service officer MK Jagadeesh is holding the post of Managing Director and CEO of KMF.