TTD to develop its Water and Food Analysis Lab into a model facility

Authorities explain the functioning of the systems at the Water and Food Analysis Laboratory to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu , in Tirumala back in March 2026. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is strengthening its Water and Food Analysis Laboratory to ensure stringent quality control over food and drinking water supplied to devotees. The initiative aims to develop the laboratory into a model facility for all the religious institutions in the country, said TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary on Wednesday.

Addressing the media after participating in the ‘Ayudha Puja’ at the laboratory, Mr. Chowdary said the state-of-the-art facility was established in just 11 months with the support of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and was inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on March 21.

Food ingredients procured for TTD institutions are tested at the procurement stage itself, while samples of cooked food are also analysed to ensure compliance with FSSAI standards. Nearly 2,500 food samples were tested during the recent Brahmotsavams, in addition to the daily testing of drinking water samples.

The laboratory also has advanced equipment to assess nearly 11 quality parameters of the Tirumala laddu prasadam, including cashew content, moisture, sugar and syrup composition, as well as nutritional value. Other food items, including sambar rice, cooked rice, procured rice and dry fruits, are also subjected to quality checks, while substandard supplies are rejected.

Ghee samples are also tested daily before being cleared for use in laddu preparation. The possibility of action, including blacklisting, for supplying substandard materials has encouraged suppliers to maintain quality, with nearly 99% of the supplies clearing the prescribed tests without rejection, he said.

The laboratory currently has 34 personnel, including TTD staff and those deputed from the State Food Safety Commission. Another eight qualified personnel will be inducted shortly, taking the strength to 42 to ensure the effective functioning of all sections.

He said the laboratory was playing a vital role in monitoring food safety and drinking water quality at Tirumala, where annaprasadam, laddu production and water supply cater to large numbers of devotees every day. TTD is committed to further strengthening the facility to establish it as a national model in food and water quality assurance, he added.

Published - November 04, 2026 08:29 pm IST