Heritage Foods Strongly Denies Allegations of Ghee Supply Links to Tirumala Temple

Heritage Foods has firmly denied any involvement in the ghee supply controversy linked to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) from 2014 to 2019. The company described these allegations as unfounded and defamatory, threatening legal action against those spreading what it calls malicious falsehoods. These accusations were made by YSR Congress Party leader B Karunakar Reddy and others, who connected Heritage Foods to Indapur Dairy in Maharashtra.

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Heritage Foods' Chief Operating Officer, J Samba Murthy, stated, "The false allegations... claiming that Heritage Foods supplied ghee to TTD Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam during 2014-2019 is a blatant lie, wholly defamatory, and only politically motivated." He accused the YSR Congress Party and its media outlet, Sakshi Media Group, of intentionally spreading these claims.

Company's Clarification on Dairy Relations

The company clarified that Indapur Dairy operates independently and has no ownership or management ties with Heritage Foods. Although Heritage Foods has contract manufacturing agreements with Indapur Dairy for products like paneer, cheese, skimmed milk powder, and UHT milk, there has never been a contract for ghee supply to TTD. Murthy also refuted claims of a syndicate involving five other dairies with Heritage for supplying ghee to the temple.

Heritage Foods emphasised its commitment to quality assurance and food safety standards. The company has been serving the dairy sector for 33 years and holds ISO 22001 certification. This certification underscores their dedication to maintaining high standards in their operations.

Legal Action Considerations

The company is considering legal action against individuals and organisations involved in tarnishing its reputation. Murthy confirmed, "We would be initiating a defamation case against every individual and organisation involved." This step aims to protect the company's integrity and address the spread of false information.

Heritage Foods continues to stand by its record in the dairy industry. The company remains focused on delivering quality products while addressing any misinformation that may arise. Their response highlights their resolve to maintain transparency and uphold their reputation amidst these allegations.

With inputs from PTI