The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has made its state-of-the art food and water analysis laboratory fully operational at Tirumala, aimed at strengthening food safety and public health for millions of pilgrims.

TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, after inspecting the facility and reviewing the first analytical report on Thursday, said: “The temple administration accords the highest priority to the health and safety of devotees visiting the hill shrine.”

The laboratory, inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on March 21 this year, became fully operational in just over two-and-a-half months. During this period, it established all mandatory quality standards, implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and successfully generated its maiden analytical report.

Established in compliance with the standards of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the laboratory is equipped with more than 50 advanced analytical instruments. It is currently staffed with a team of 30 scientists, technical experts and laboratory technicians. The TTD also plans to recruit 20 permanent personnel shortly, subject to government approval.

Mr. Chowdary said that around 40 food samples collected from Tirumala’s central kitchens, Annaprasadam centres, food counters, hotels, the iconic ‘Laddu prasadam’ and raw materials supplied to the marketing department are subjected to rigorous tests daily at the facility. In addition to this, nearly 20 water samples drawn from drinking water distribution lines and other sources are analysed daily to ensure compliance with safety standards.

He further added that the in-house microbiology laboratory has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of testing the water quality. Earlier samples were sent to external laboratories that ended up in delayed results. The new facility enables rapid on-site analysis and timely corrective action whenever required.