The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched a major quality control initiative for rice supplies to its temple kitchens, responding to the recent ghee adulteration controversy that rocked the sacred shrine. This decisive move comes as the temple administration seeks to restore complete trust in the purity of prasadam served to millions of devotees.
Enhanced Quality Protocols for Sacred Offerings
On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the TTD issued a formal advisory to Rice Millers Associations across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, establishing stringent new quality checking procedures. The temple board has made it clear that any rice shipments failing to meet the enhanced standards will face immediate rejection, regardless of quantity.
The advisory establishes a strict testing protocol where entire truckloads of rice will be rejected if samples fail quality assessments. This zero-tolerance approach marks a significant escalation in the temple's quality assurance measures following the recent ghee scandal.
Direct Engagement with Rice Suppliers
TTD Additional Executive Officer C Venkaiah Chowdary personally addressed rice millers during a crucial meeting held at the Sri Padmavati Rest House conference hall in Tirumala. He appealed directly to suppliers to ensure only superior quality rice reaches the temple kitchens, emphasizing the sacred nature of annaprasadam served to devotees.
The scale of rice consumption at Tirumala temples is substantial, with nearly 20,000 kg of rice used daily for preparing annaprasadam across Tirumala, Tiruchanoor, and other local temples. Supply distribution shows 60% of rice millers supplying to TTD are from Andhra Pradesh, while 40% operate from Telangana.
Systematic Quality Assurance Framework
Under the newly implemented guidelines, rice millers must now submit monthly schedules detailing their supply commitments and rice varieties to TTD officials. This systematic approach allows for better planning and consistent quality monitoring throughout the supply chain.
TTD has also instituted monthly virtual meetings between its rice procurement officials and suppliers to maintain ongoing quality dialogue. Venkaiah Chowdary has directed that rice should only be served to devotees after thorough quality and taste verification, ensuring every grain meets the temple's sacred standards.
In an innovative feedback mechanism, the temple administration is now collecting monthly quality assessments through Srivari Sevaks - volunteers who assist devotees during their temple visit. This direct feedback loop provides real-time insights into the annaprasadam quality from those serving it to worshippers.
The enhanced focus on rice quality emerges exactly one week after CBI investigators filed a chargesheet in the ghee adulteration case. The investigation revealed that between 2019 and 2024, suppliers had sold approximately 60 lakh kg of adulterated ghee worth Rs 250.80 crore to the temple, highlighting the critical need for robust quality controls across all prasadam ingredients.
