Chennai, May 2025 – In a legal development following months of controversy, the Madras High Court has partially set aside the suspension of the FSSAI licence held by A R Dairy Food Pvt Ltd, the Tamil Nadu-based company that supplied ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for its famed laddoo prasadam.
The dairy company had faced regulatory action after allegations surfaced that animal fat was present in the ghee, prompting widespread scrutiny and legal proceedings.
🧈 What the Court Said
Justice Lakshminarayan, presiding over the case, ruled that:
- The licence suspension should apply only to the manufacture of ghee, not the company’s entire range of dairy products.
- FSSAI authorities must re-examine the scope of the suspension and complete fresh proceedings within four weeks.
- Licence suspensions, as per legal guidelines, cannot remain in force indefinitely and must not exceed six weeks without due process.
“The licensing authority must decide whether the issue pertains solely to ghee or the company’s full product line. Any further action, including cancellation, must follow due legal procedure,” the judge noted.
🧪 Background: Allegations of Adulteration
The issue traces back to claims that ghee supplied to the Tirupati temple contained animal-derived fat, violating food safety standards and religious sentiment. The FSSAI responded by suspending the supplier’s licence, triggering both legal and reputational consequences for the Dindigul-based dairy firm.
While the case prompted public concern and regulatory intervention, no conclusive results from testing were presented in open court, and due process was emphasized by the judiciary.
🏛️ Industry Implications
This case highlights the legal and reputational risks faced by dairy processors, especially those involved in religiously sensitive supply chains such as temple prasadams or ayurvedic formulations. It also underscores the importance of:
- Transparent testing and sampling
- Fair enforcement by food safety authorities
- Timely judicial redress for aggrieved processors
