Sacred Sweets Under Scientific Vigilance

Technology Enters the Temple Kitchen

Sacred Sweets Under Scientific Vigilance: The Tirumala Temple in Andhra Pradesh is establishing a ₹25 crore food testing laboratory to safeguard the quality of its sacred prasadam. The move follows the 2024 ghee adulteration controversy linked to the preparation of Tirumala laddus.

Backed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the temple administration will deploy E-Nose Technology and E-Tongue Systems for rapid screening of ingredients such as ghee, dry fruits, and spices.

Static GK fact: Tirumala is located in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, and the temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of the richest religious institutions in the world.

Understanding the Electronic Nose

An electronic nose (E-Nose) is a sensor-based device designed to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by food substances. It uses multiple gas sensors to capture aroma patterns.

Instead of identifying a single compound, it analyses the overall “odour fingerprint” using AI-based pattern recognition. This helps detect spoilage, contamination, or adulteration in edible oils and dairy products.

The device converts chemical signals into electrical responses and compares them with stored reference databases for classification.

Static GK Tip: VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature and are widely used as indicators in food quality testing.

Role of the Electronic Tongue

An electronic tongue (E-Tongue) evaluates liquid samples by analysing taste-related chemical components. It uses electrochemical sensors to detect dissolved substances responsible for sweet, sour, salty, and bitter profiles.

The system generates electrical signal patterns and applies machine-learning algorithms for accurate classification. It is widely used in testing edible oils, beverages, and dairy products.

In the temple context, the E-Tongue will help assess ghee composition and ensure flavour consistency in prasadam.

Combined Multisensor Advantage

Using both devices together enhances detection accuracy. The E-Nose identifies aroma and volatile contamination, while the E-Tongue detects dissolved chemical variations.

This combined approach enables non-destructive testing, faster screening, and minimal manual intervention. It ensures that large-scale prasadam preparation does not compromise safety standards.

Trigger for the Initiative

The deployment follows allegations in 2024 regarding adulterated ghee supplied during a previous state administration. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported mixing of palm oil, palm kernel oil, beta-carotene, acetic acid esters, and artificial flavouring agents.

The controversy raised serious concerns about food integrity in religious institutions, prompting the state government to approve modern quality monitoring mechanisms.

Static GK fact: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

AI and Data Processing

Both systems rely on computational analytics. Sensor outputs are converted into electrical signals, processed statistically, and matched with pre-fed quality standards.

With continuous data input, AI models improve detection precision over time. However, officials clarify that these devices act as preliminary screening tools and do not replace full laboratory testing.

The initiative reflects a broader integration of technology in traditional institutions, reinforcing trust through scientific validation.

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