Tirumala, March 20:
In a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring food safety and preserving devotees’ faith, the Andhra Pradesh government has established an advanced laboratory under the Tirumala Food Lab Prasadam Quality initiative. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to inaugurate the state-of-the-art facility on Saturday, according to State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav.
This is the first time such a sophisticated food testing laboratory has been set up at a major pilgrimage center in India. The facility aims to ensure the purity and safety of prasadam, including the famous Srivari laddu and annaprasadam served to millions of devotees visiting Tirumala every year.
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Tirumala Food Lab Prasadam Quality: Advanced Testing and Equipment
Under the Tirumala Food Lab Prasadam Quality program, the laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge technology capable of detecting even minute traces of adulteration. Spread across 12,000 square feet and built at an estimated cost of ₹25 crore, the lab has been developed with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The facility houses around 50 advanced instruments and can perform up to 50 different tests on a single sample. It will examine prasadam, raw materials, and water samples for pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbial contamination, and other impurities.
Ingredients such as ghee, oil, milk, cashews, raisins, almonds, sugar, cardamom, turmeric, and chili will undergo rigorous quality checks. The lab can also analyze fat content, detect the presence of vegetable or animal fats, and identify harmful bacteria.
In addition, high-end devices like e-nose and e-tongue systems from France—designed to detect variations in smell and taste—are expected to be installed soon, further enhancing the lab’s capabilities.
Tirumala Food Lab Prasadam Quality: Strengthening Devotee Confidence
Officials stated that the Tirumala Food Lab Prasadam Quality initiative marks a significant upgrade from the earlier water testing facility established in 1981 and later modernized in 1988, which received NABL accreditation in 2018.
The new laboratory not only strengthens quality assurance mechanisms but also reinforces trust among devotees. With millions visiting Tirumala annually, ensuring the safety and purity of prasadam is considered a top priority.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) provided land for the project, while the central government funded the construction and equipment. Authorities believe that this initiative will set a national benchmark for food safety standards at religious institutions.
