ગુજરાતી
English
Ahmedabad, March 21, 2026
Palmolive oil—commonly referred to as palm oil—is the most widely consumed oil in the world. Harvard identifies this oil as a primary cause of heart disease. It has the potential to trigger heart ailments in the majority of people who consume it. It contains approximately 50 percent saturated fat; this fat accumulates in the blood vessels, leading to blockages.
Fake ghee poses a serious threat to health. It is detrimental to the digestive system and is a contributing factor to constipation, acidity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and toxicity in the liver and kidneys. It is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women, and due to the presence of chemicals, it carries a long-term risk of cancer. Fake ghee is characterized by high levels of “hard fats” and trans fats.
Cases involving the adulteration of food products are overseen by the District Collector. Over time, however, the prevalence of such adulteration has only increased.
**The Ghee Market**
There is a major ghee market located in the Baradi area of Khambhalia, Dwarka district, where producers from Khambhalia, Lalpur, Bhanvad, and Kalyanpur arrive in large numbers to sell their ghee. The market receives a daily supply of 7,000 to 8,000 kilograms of ghee. With ghee selling at a rate of ₹460 per kilogram, the total daily value of the traded commodity amounts to between ₹30 lakh and ₹40 lakh. The ghee brought by the producers is auctioned off in a transparent, public setting. Three distinct varieties of ghee are produced: *Soda*, *Slaked*, and *Laar*. The producers feed their buffaloes a diet consisting of cottonseed cake and flour. Feeding cottonseed cake yields the highest quality of ghee. Additionally, there is a specific type of grass—when grazed upon by buffaloes—that significantly increases the fat content of their milk.
**The Ahmedabad Market**
In the Ahmedabad market, ghee sold under the guise of “purity”—at a price point of ₹200 to ₹250 per kilogram—often consists of up to 80 percent *Vanaspati* (hydrogenated vegetable oil) mixed with turmeric. Atul Soni, the scientist in charge of the Municipal Lab, stated, “Driven by the desire to procure goods cheaply, traders adulterate the ghee, oil, and milk they purchase, thereby playing fast and loose with public health. Consuming such products significantly increases people’s risk of developing cancer and life-threatening heart diseases. Pure ghee should have a Reichert-Meissl value of at least 24. In branded ghee, this ratio typically falls between 25 and 30; however, if the ghee is adulterated, this ratio plummets to as low as 1 or 2. Turmeric is often added to ghee to give it a yellow hue. This practice heightens the risk of both heart disease and cancer.”
Baba Ramdev: In August 2022, ghee sold under Baba Ramdev’s ‘Patanjali’ brand was found to be adulterated and detrimental to health during testing. Samples of the cow ghee failed the quality tests. A complaint was subsequently filed against Patanjali in court. Following the findings of the Uttarakhand State Lab, the samples also failed the tests conducted at the Central Lab. Consequently, the Food Safety and Drug Department of Tehri has filed an appeal against the Patanjali company in the ADM Court. When the Food Safety Department initially issued a notice regarding the matter, the company dismissed the State Lab’s report as false. However, Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali-branded ghee subsequently failed the tests at the Central Lab as well. As a result, the Food Safety Department is now pursuing legal action against the company in the ADM Court in Tehri. Food Safety Officer M.N. Joshi stated that, according to the lab reports, Patanjali ghee is adulterated; it fails to meet the prescribed quality standards for ghee and is deemed injurious to health. Baba Ramdev’s cow ghee is sold on a massive scale throughout Gujarat.
Himatnagar: On March 18, 2026—following the unearthing of a fake milk scam—authorities busted a network involved in the illicit manufacture of counterfeit ghee in Raigadh village, located in the Himatnagar taluka. The operation, which involved the illegal production of 208 kilograms of counterfeit ghee valued at ₹50,000, was being conducted at the residence of a food business operator. During the raid, officials seized vegetable ghee, soybean oil, and a suspicious white powder from the premises. Counterfeit ghee was being manufactured by mixing these ingredients together. A man named Khubiram Shivcharan Sharma was apprehended in connection with this.
**Surat**
On March 14, 2026, a major scam was busted. In the Utran area of Surat—specifically at Shop Nos. 106 and 107 of Avasar Plaza, near Rangoli Chowkdi—an operation to manufacture counterfeit ghee was underway; vegetable oil was being adulterated and passed off as pure cow ghee. The facility was operating under the name ‘Tata Dairy Product.’ A man named Nihar Bharatbhai Mavaliya was the one producing this counterfeit ghee. It was being marketed and sold under the brand names ‘Shri Sahajanand Cow Ghee’ and ‘Shri Gajanand Cow Ghee.’ Authorities seized 582.02 liters of suspected counterfeit ghee, the machinery used in its production, containers of palm oil kept for adulteration purposes, and other goods valued at ₹3.60 lakhs.
**2025 – Commissioner**
A special drive was launched to take action against traders selling counterfeit ghee during the festive season. Within a span of 10 days, adulterated ghee worth ₹3 to ₹4 crores was seized from across the entire state.
On September 13, 2025, Dr. H.G. Koshiya, the Food and Drug Regulatory Commissioner, announced that goods—including raw materials used in the production of counterfeit ghee—totaling over ₹1 crore in value had been seized. Adulterated ghee, falsely labeled as “pure ghee,” was confiscated during raids conducted at various locations across the state.
In Gandhidham, 69 tons of goods, valued at ₹1.4 crores, were seized.
In Dhrol (Jamnagar), 69 tons of adulterated ghee were seized from the Krishna Trading Company.
**Kutch**
On October 13, 2025, in Gandhidham (Kutch), it was discovered that refined palm oil—which possesses a texture remarkably similar to that of authentic ghee—was being used as the primary ingredient in the production of adulterated ghee. Goods totaling ₹1.4 crores in value were seized during this operation. A total of eight samples—four from Bharat Foods Co-operative Limited, Gandhidham (District Kutch), and four from M/s Krishna Trading Company, Dhrol (Jamnagar)—were collected during an administrative raid and have been sent to a laboratory for testing.
The remaining stock amounted to over 69 tons. The samples were collected at the Gandhidham-based Bharat Foods Co-operative Limited in the presence of Akhilesh Kumar Krishnapal Singh. During the inspection, the entire suspected stock—totaling 67 tons—was identified as Refined Palm Oil (RPO). The estimated value of the RPO is…
The amount involved was approximately ₹1.32 crore, which was seized.
Refined Palm Oil (RPO) was being manufactured and sold in 15 kg packages under the brand name “Savera.”
**Veraval**
On September 27, 2025, a merchant named Gautam Ratilal Vaghela was caught at a shop named “Volga Ghee Depot,” located near Patan Darwaza in Veraval (Gir Somnath), where he was manufacturing and selling branded “Mahi” and “Evergreen” ghee by adulterating it with castor oil, vegetable oil, and soy oil. He was selling the ghee at a price ranging from ₹300 to ₹700 per kilogram.
**Rajkot**
On October 11, 2024, a large quantity of counterfeit ghee was seized from the Metoda GIDC area in Rajkot.
It was revealed that “Sitaram Vijay Patel Dairy,” located in the Vaniyawadi area, was selling ghee at ₹800 per kg, cow ghee at ₹640 per kg, and buffalo ghee at ₹580 per kg.
**Gondal**
On August 20, 2025, a factory manufacturing counterfeit ghee—M/s Korova Milk Products—was busted in Gomta, Gondal (Rajkot). A total of 6,500 kg of ghee, valued at ₹35 lakh, was seized.
The product was found to contain vegetable fat.
**Jamnagar**
On October 12, 2025, individuals at “Krishna Trading” in Dhrol (Jamnagar) were caught red-handed while adulterating ghee with soybean oil and vegetable oil. The merchant involved was Bharat Khimsuriya.
Additionally, two tons of food products, with an estimated value of ₹5.8 lakh, were seized.
The license of Krishna Trading Company was also cancelled.
**Surendranagar**
On June 3, 2025, in the interest of public safety, 2,700 kg of products and chemicals belonging to “Maheshwari Products and Chemicals”—valued at approximately ₹13 lakh—were seized in Surendranagar.
Rajesh Bharat Chavda was associated with “Shiv Industries,” located on Chotila Road, Gugaliyana, Thangadh. The seized goods included the ‘Shri Bhog’ brand, loose ghee, butter intended for ghee production, and refined Palmolein oil.
**Navsari**
On June 24, 2024, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration seized 3,000 kg of adulterated ghee—valued at ₹14 lakh—in Navsari. This ghee had been mixed with impure oil, which health experts deem toxic to the human body. It contained an admixture of Palmolein oil; additionally, 10 tins of Palmolein oil were recovered from the site.
**Mehsana**
On October 14, 2024, 45.5 tons of suspected adulterated ghee—valued at ₹1.39 crore—was seized from Mehsana and Patan. The firm ‘Jai Ambe Masale’ (operating under ‘Hariom Products’ at Rajratna Estate in Budasan, Kadi, Mehsana) was found to be operating without a valid FSSAI license. Foreign fats, Palmolein oil, and ghee were recovered during the raid. Ramu Dakuram Dangi was present at the premises. A total of 43,100 kg of material, valued at ₹1.25 crore, was seized.
**Patan**
On October 14, 2024, suspected adulterated ghee was seized from the firm of Nitin Kumarbhai Lal Ghiwala, located near ‘Three Gates’ in Patan city. The remaining stock of 2,400 kg of ghee, valued at ₹14.30 lakh, was confiscated.
**Sidhpur**
On February 22, 2025, a private luxury bus belonging to ‘Rajdhani Travels’—traveling from Patan to Sidhpur—was intercepted while transporting goods bound for Mumbai. Ghee valued at ₹3,92,250 was discovered packed in 105 containers (of various sizes) inside the bus.
The luxury bus driver, Sameer Khan Mehboob Khan Chand Khan Baloch, and the conductor, Ranjit Deshlaji Visaji Thakor, were taken into custody.
**Sidhpur**
On August 8, 2024, suspected adulterated ghee was seized from the ‘Dairywala Products’ factory in Sidhpur. 5,500 kg of ghee produced at the Dairywala Products factory, located at Plot No. 237 in Sidhpur GIDC, was found to be adulterated. The ghee had been mixed with vegetable oil. Ghee worth ₹16.50 lakh was seized.
**Ambaji**
On October 6, 2023, adulteration was detected in the ghee used at the Ambaji Temple.
The prime accused, Jatin Shah—owner of Neelkanth Traders—had purchased the ghee from Dushyant Soni.
A grand fair was organized from September 23 to September 29, 2023, for the Bhadarvi Poonam festival. *Prasad* (religious offering) is served on a large platter (*thali*), and to ensure adequate stock for this purpose, the agency had placed an advance order for ghee. Subsequently, the entire scandal came to light when samples of the ghee failed quality tests.
The ghee had been procured from Jatin Shah, the owner of Neelkanth Traders in Ahmedabad.
The contract for preparing the *prasad* was awarded to the Ahmedabad-based Touch Stone Foundation for the period spanning 2012 to 2017. The Touch Stone Foundation had previously been fined ₹60,000 for adulterating the *prasad*. The tender for Mohini Caterers—the company responsible for preparing *Mohan Thal*—has not been renewed.
**Deesa**
On October 13, 2023, suspicious goods worth ₹6 lakh were seized from the warehouse of Sagar Devchandbhai Panchiwala in the Harsoliavas area of Deesa. Two samples—specifically of ‘Happy’ and ‘Raj’ brand ghee—were collected for testing.
**Surat**
On March 21, 2024, 225 kg of counterfeit ghee was seized from the Rander area of Surat. The containers holding the ghee bore the logos of a well-known, branded ghee manufacturer. An accused individual named Rajesh Patel was arrested in connection with the case.
The seized items included five sealed containers, each holding 15 kg of refined soybean oil, as well as 15 kg of ‘Rag’ brand vegetable oil. Surat
In 2019, 314 kg of suspected cow ghee—packed in 21 tins of 15 kg each—was discovered at a firm operating within the Ambika Industrial Estate in Saroli, located on Kadodara Road in the Surat district. The suspected ghee weighed 314 kg and had an estimated value of ₹1 lakh.
Surat
On June 27, 2015, a fine of ₹5.5 lakh was imposed in Surat in connection with lamp oil and inter-esterified vegetable fat.
Surat
On October 15, 2025, ghee samples collected from three shops in Amroli, Surat, failed quality tests. The ghee was found to contain excessive levels of fats and fatty acids. More than 9,000 kg of ghee was seized, and four accused individuals involved in selling the adulterated ghee were arrested. This entire operation was conducted through raids carried out at Shri Mahadeva Dairy, New Adinath Dairy, and the New Adinath Godown. Samples of various food items, including sweets and ghee, were collected.
Vadnagar
On October 14, 2019, Deputy Superintendent of Police Manjita Vanzara conducted late-night raids on two ghee trading units located in Mehsana and Vadnagar.
A joint team comprising the police and the Food and Drugs Department conducted a surprise inspection in Rahbari. During this inspection, four samples—consisting of loose ghee and inter-esterified vegetable fat—were collected.
Furthermore, on suspicion of adulteration, a total of 1,035 kg of ghee—valued at Rs. 84,470—was seized.
**Vadgam**
In 2019, *Gaurav* brand *Desi Ghee* (clarified butter) worth Rs. 10,24,860 was seized from a factory named *Shri Riddhi Vinayak Products*, located in Mahi village near Chhapi in the Vadgam taluka. A total of 3,306 kg of *Desi Ghee* was confiscated. Deesa and Palanpur are gaining notoriety for the production of counterfeit ghee.
**Dahod**
During a raid at a factory named *New Babaji Enterprise* in the Kharedi GIDC area of Dahod, counterfeit food products—including Palmolein oil—were seized. The police confiscated oil pouches of various brands, stickers, and other materials from the factory premises. The police seized goods worth Rs. 1.17 lakh, which included oil valued at Rs. 1.5 lakh.
**Mehsana**
On September 17, 2020, it was discovered that the *Sagar* brand ghee—worth Rs. 40 crore—produced by the Dudhsagar Dairy in Mehsana had been adulterated with 16 percent palm oil. Following the revelation of this adulteration, sales of the ghee plummeted by 34 percent.
Consequently, 40 employees were transferred.
Despite repeated requests from the GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) over a period of two years—including an offer of a 50 percent subsidy—Dudhsagar Dairy failed to install a GC (Gas Chromatography) machine to detect adulteration in its ghee. The dairy’s Vice Chairman, Mohjibhai, and former MD, Nishith Pakshi, were taken into custody on a three-day remand.
The Milk Marketing Federation had previously directed Dudhsagar Dairy to procure a GC (Gas Chromatography) machine to replace its existing RM machine. An RM machine checks the RM value of ghee and indicates its purity level.
However, new types of chemicals are now being introduced to mask adulteration involving RM oil. As a result, certain forms of adulteration could not be detected by the RM machine. When the Federation conducted an inspection at Dudhsagar Dairy, approximately 600 MT of ghee—stored in the warehouse for sale and valued at ₹40 crore—was found to be adulterated. It was revealed that a conspiracy had been hatched; instead of destroying the adulterated ghee, it had been handed over to a transporter.
Dudhsagar Dairy used to procure ghee from Haryana; however, the facility was authorized to import only milk and milk powder from that specific plant. It did not possess the necessary authorization to manufacture ghee.
**Counterfeit Ghee**
In 2025, counterfeit Amul-branded ghee was seized at Payal Traders, located in Sector-26, GIDC, Gandhinagar. Quantities of 15 kg and 500 ml Amul-branded pouches, along with a supply of Amul ghee labels, were confiscated. A total quantity of 207 kg—estimated to be worth approximately ₹70,000—was seized.
**Counterfeit Ghee**
The Banaskantha Police raided a counterfeit ghee manufacturing unit in Nani Bhakhar village within the Deesa Taluka. During the raid, a large quantity of Amul and Sagar-branded ghee pouches was seized.
**Rajkot**
The police apprehended an individual at the warehouse of Rameshwar Dairy—located in Shivdham Society-3 on Kothariya Road, Rajkot—for packaging and selling counterfeit Amul-branded ghee. The seizure included 10 tins of Amul-branded ghee valued at ₹48,000; 1,090 pouches of 500 ml Amul ghee valued at ₹2,07,100; and 61 pouches of 1-liter Amul ghee valued at ₹23,180.
**Rajkot – Amul Imitation**
On July 5, 2021, 395 tins of cooking oil and 20 tins of Amul ghee were seized at the Old Market Yard in Rajkot. The shop owner, Piyush Somnani, offered a defense regarding the matter. Addressing the allegations of adulteration involving sunflower oil, he claimed that sunflower oil labels had been affixed to the tins simply because the original palm oil labels had expired. Amul ghee tins had been brought in to replace the stock of tins that had been seized. Other types of ghee were being adulterated and packed into these Amul ghee tins. A total of 284 kg of ghee, valued at ₹1.13 lakh, was seized.
**Rajkot**
On August 21, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized 6,500 kg of adulterated ghee—valued at approximately ₹35 lakh—from M/s Korova Milk Products Pvt. Ltd., a dairy unit located in Rajkot, Gujarat. The ghee was found to contain extraneous fats.
**Anand**
On July 21, 2020, tests conducted at Amul’s laboratory detected adulteration. The Milk Union faced allegations regarding the adulteration of its ghee products.
**Nadiad**
On March 26, 2025, adulteration was uncovered at the ghee manufacturing facility of Kshem Kalyani & Milk Products, located in Godown No. 3 at Salon Talpad on the Nadiad-Dakor Road. A total of 3,109 kg of ghee and adulterating substances were seized. Suspicious ghee valued at ₹8.50 lakh was confiscated. Dilipsinh Khumansinh Raulji was interrogated in connection with the incident.
The ghee (marketed under the ‘Shri Kalyani’ brand) had been manufactured by mixing butter oil and ghee flavoring agents.
Samples of the ghee were collected from 15-kg cans. Samples of the butter oil and ghee flavoring agents were also collected. The seizure included 1,500 kg of ghee (valued at ₹5.25 lakh), 1,600 kg of butter oil, and 1 liter of ghee flavoring agent—totaling 3,100 kg.
**Ghee Seized from a Car**
In Modasa, within the Aravalli district, 113 pouches of counterfeit Amul ghee were seized from a car. Upon reaching Modasa, the concerned officials of Sabar Dairy were informed about the incident.
**4 Tons of Ghee**
Five tons of ghee were discovered at a farmhouse near Varshamedi village in Anjar, Gandhidham-Kutch. The ghee stored at the farmhouse belonged to its owner, Yatin Prabhu Koli. Ahmedabad
In 2021, counterfeit ghee was seized from Jagdish Estate, near Sanand Circle, in the city of Ahmedabad. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure, which involved 160 boxes containing 15 kg each of the counterfeit ghee. The investigation revealed that the ghee had been ordered via a courier service, packaged in Ahmedabad, and subsequently delivered to Rajkot. The accused would prepare and seal a 15 kg box of the counterfeit ghee for a cost of ₹1,500. By labeling it as Amul ghee, they would then sell the same box for ₹5,000. They affixed labels of Amul and various other brands onto these boxes.
Counterfeiting in Surat
Surat Police and Health Department (2021)
The department conducted a raid. A warehouse in Surat—where counterfeit ghee was being packaged under the brand names of Sumul and Amul Sagar Dairy—was busted. Authorities uncovered a facility that was engaged in the counterfeiting of oil and ghee products belonging to a renowned company.
Prior Incidents
Earlier, in Ahmedabad, 80 percent of the 40 samples collected from 22 different dairies had failed laboratory tests.
A
**Be Prepared for Cancer**
Among dairy products, ghee has been found to be the most heavily adulterated. Vegetable ghee is used on a massive scale to artificially increase the fat content in ghee. Consumers of such products face risks of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, intestinal infections, typhoid, cholera, and—in the long run—cancer.
**Rivers of Fake Ghee Flowing Under BJP Rule**
In Gujarat, health officials have completely failed to prevent people from consuming adulterated ghee. Instead of producing ghee from cow and buffalo milk, thousands of individuals are now manufacturing adulterated ghee. Only a handful of them are ever caught. Under BJP rule, it is not rivers of authentic ghee that are flowing, but rather rivers of fake ghee. The sale of counterfeit ghee is increasing day by day. In most instances, the police manage to seize the fake ghee; however, Hemant Koshia—the head of the Food and Drug Administration—and his staff, who are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding public health, are doing absolutely nothing. Questions are now being raised regarding their accountability. A corrupt racket is currently in full swing. Factories producing fake ghee are flourishing across Gujarat, recklessly playing with the health of the public. Laboratory testing of samples has clearly revealed that 25 percent of the ghee traded in Gujarat is counterfeit.
**Ghee Worth ₹50 Crore Seized**
On July 16, 2018, a raid was conducted at the premises of Rajeshbhai Chavda—the owner of Shiv Industries factories—located within the limits of Gugariyala village near the police station in Surendranagar. During the operation, goods worth ₹25 crore were seized. The police confiscated machinery valued at ₹77 lakh, along with fake ghee, butter, palm oil, incriminating materials, barrels, and various other items. The counterfeit ghee was being sold at a price of ₹450. This illicit trade in fake ghee had been operating for four years. The product was packaged in containers ranging in size from 250 grams to 15 kilograms. Krishna’s land, Dwarka, is no exception to this.
Khambhalia, located in the Devbhumi Dwarka district—the land of Lord Krishna—is home to the country’s largest ghee market. In Bhavad, a village in the Kalyanpur taluka, a massive dairy trade is thriving despite the complete absence of livestock. Counterfeit curd, buttermilk, and ghee are being manufactured using adulterated milk. While Khambhalia was once renowned for its pure ghee, it has now gained notoriety for its fake ghee. This counterfeit ghee is produced by mixing chemical essences and heating betel leaves. Ghee that costs merely ₹50 to produce is sold at a price ranging from ₹500 to ₹600 per kilogram.
**Fake Ghee in Palli as Well**
In Palli, there is a custom of offering *Desi Ghee* (clarified butter) as a devotional offering. Every year, 1.5 million devotees visit the site and offer a total of 600,000 liters of ghee—an offering valued at ₹200 million. During this period, shops selling counterfeit ghee under the guise of authentic *Desi Ghee* spring up across the area. **Fake Ghee Racket Busted in Ahmedabad:** 70 Tins Seized. According to an official from the Food Department, the Sarkhej Police in Ahmedabad exposed a scam involving the production of counterfeit ghee—by adulterating and refilling empty Amul ghee tins—on February 4, 2018. A total of 70 tins of this fake ghee were seized. **500 kg of Ghee Seized:** On October 9, 2018, a similar fake ghee manufacturing scam was uncovered in the Jamnagar City-A Division area. The Jamnagar Police conducted raids at five different locations and seized 500 kg of counterfeit ghee. Prior to this operation, 1,200 liters of milk had also been seized. Harun Usman and Amin Harun were the individuals operating the dairy business involved in this racket. Authorities seized 528 kg of counterfeit ghee valued at ₹262,000, along with 44 large vessels, 7 tins of palm oil, and 19 tins of vegetable ghee. 300 kg Seized in Upleta
On May 3, 2018, 300 kg of adulterated, counterfeit ghee was seized in Upleta. A long-running racket involving the sale of fake ghee was busted at a shop named ‘Radhe Provision Store’ on Balraj Sahni Road. The counterfeit ghee was manufactured by mixing various types of vegetable ghee and oils. Sanjay Kachela, who was apprehended along with the fake ghee manufacturing unit, had been selling the product in Upleta and the surrounding villages. Authorities seized 1,573 tins filled with various types of ghee, 10 tins of soybean oil, 54 tins of vegetable ghee, and 5 gas cylinders—all of which were utilized in the production of the ghee.
100 kg of Adulterated Ghee Found in Jetpur
Police discovered 100 kg of adulterated ghee inside a residence in the city of Jetpur, Rajkot. This quantity was recovered from the home of an elderly man named Labhuben Bhavanbhai Khunt, who had been manufacturing fake ghee for a considerable period; this information was subsequently traced back to his son-in-law, Raju Keshu Kamani.
Fake Ghee in Kutiyana
On July 13, authorities seized 70 tins of chemicals, 120 tins (each weighing 25 kg) of raw materials, tins of finished ghee, and 150 empty barrels from a dairy named ‘Bhole Dairy,’ which was engaged in the production of counterfeit ghee. Goods worth ₹4.50 lakh were confiscated. The dairy owners, Manoj Bhishmapari and Satyapal Bhishmapari Goswami, were arrested. Corrupt officials within the Food and Drugs Department had been turning a blind eye, allowing them to operate this illicit business.
Counterfeit ghee was seized from Kutiyana. Notably, individuals involved in manufacturing fake ghee had also been arrested back in 2007. Although such counterfeit ghee continues to be trafficked into milk dairies—including those operating under the banner of cooperative dairies—within the Porbandar district, corrupt officials at the Food and Drugs Regulatory Office are allowing these illicit activities to persist. 1,229 kg of Adulterated Ghee Seized from Dairy
1,229 kg of adulterated ghee, valued at ₹4.5 lakh, was seized from the Mahesh Milk Center in Chadela. Samples of ghee were collected from this dairy in November 2017. After laboratory reports revealed the ghee to be substandard, the Adjudicating Officer and Deputy Collector registered a case against the trader, Mahesh Bhanu Thakkar, and imposed a fine of ₹7 lakh. The seized ghee was subsequently destroyed at a designated dumping site located on Nagor Road in Bhuj.
Adulteration Under the Guise of Amul Ghee
Following the seizure of adulterated ghee by the police in Deesa (Banaskantha district) on November 29, 2017, authorities have now raided a factory in Chandisar (Deesa) and seized additional stocks of suspicious ghee.
Over 600 tins of ghee bearing the Amul brand label were recovered. The owner stated that a company named ‘Health’ was responsible for manufacturing the ghee.
In Palanpur…
Ghee adulterated with potatoes and papayas has been discovered. In Palanpur, a gang involved in selling counterfeit ghee was apprehended; they utilized potatoes, papayas, preservatives, and various other chemicals to manufacture the product. When an alert citizen caught them in the act, a crowd gathered and physically assaulted the culprits. The illicit ghee manufacturing operation was being conducted within a slum settlement.
**Banaskantha**
On December 21, 2025, an illegal ghee manufacturing operation was exposed at the Chandisar GIDC in Banaskantha. A suspicious stock valued at ₹24 lakh was seized and sealed. Acting against Bhavesh Chokhawala, authorities confiscated ghee that had been adulterated with palm oil. A stockpile consisting of palm oil, unlabeled liquids, and various other adulterants was recovered from the premises. The product—purported to be cow and buffalo ghee—was being marketed under the brand name “Ghoomar.”
**Counterfeit Amul Ghee**
On October 27, 2017, in Rajkot, a joint team comprising the police and the Health Department of the Municipal Corporation apprehended two brothers—who were cousins to each other (referred to as *Mama-Mami*’s brothers)—for repeatedly selling counterfeit and adulterated ghee under the Amul brand name. The authorities busted their operation, which involved selling the product in both cans and pouches; a case was registered against both individuals, they were arrested, and counterfeit ghee worth ₹2.78 lakh was seized. The seized items included 10 cans of Amul ghee valued at ₹48,000; 1,090 pouches of 500ml ghee valued at ₹2.07 lakh; and 61 pouches of 1-liter ghee valued at ₹23,180. The Branch Manager of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (Amul) in Rajkot was duly informed of the incident. A case has been registered under Sections 272, 273, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as under Sections 78 B, D, and E of the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958.
**Counterfeit Sagar Ghee**
On February 4, 2018, in Dhanera Taluka, edible oil and ghee were being sold wholesale with counterfeit brand labels affixed to them. A customer grew suspicious upon noticing a price discrepancy of ₹300 in a 15 kg pack. Adulterated ghee of this nature had been intercepted on previous occasions as well.
Adulteration Detected in 900 Tons of Ghee at Dudhsagar Amul Dairy
Dudhsagar Dairy is set to launch operations in Himachal and Haryana; however, what action has the BJP taken regarding these 12 instances of corruption?
The ‘White Revolution’ has now transformed into a ‘Black Revolution.’
**Penalties**
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh may be imposed. The imprisonment term can range from 6 months to 7 years. If the consumption of adulterated food results in death, the perpetrator may face life imprisonment or a prison term of up to 10 years.
If there is no threat to human life, the offense is classified under the category of fraud.
**How to Prepare Ghee**
Butter should be heated to a temperature of 64°C. Upon heating to 94°C, it melts and begins to foam; its volume also increases. This process continues until the temperature reaches 94°C and the moisture has completely evaporated. Subsequently, as the temperature rises to 98°C, the liquid thickens, and bubbles begin to burst immediately upon formation. Finally, when the temperature reaches 110°C, the curd solids (in the form of buttermilk residue) begin to float; by the time the temperature hits 120°C, these solids settle at the bottom of the vessel.
At this stage, the large bubbles give way to smaller ones and turn brown in color, indicating that the ghee is now ready. The heating process is then halted, and the ghee is strained. It is advisable to ensure that the temperature does not exceed 128°C during the heating process. When ghee is prepared, cooking it over low heat can result in residual moisture; conversely, if heated excessively, the curd solids burn, imparting a burnt odor to the ghee. At this stage, specific enzymes are destroyed, the product acquires a fatty smell, and it lacks the characteristic granular texture.
**Verification Methods:**
**Taste/Aroma:** Pure ghee possesses a distinct, nutty aroma that intensifies upon heating. Artificial or adulterated ghee often lacks this fragrance, indicating contamination.
**Color Check:** Authentic cow ghee exhibits a light golden-yellow hue. It contains no artificial coloring agents. If the ghee appears unusually bright or lacks its natural coloration, it may be impure.
**Texture Examination:** Carefully observe the texture of the ghee; pure ghee is smooth and creamy. It solidifies slightly when refrigerated but melts easily upon heating. A sticky texture is indicative of adulteration.
**Heating Test:** To verify purity, heat a small amount of ghee in a vessel. Pure ghee remains clear and free of sediment; counterfeit ghee may emit an unpleasant odor or leave behind residue in the vessel.
**Refrigeration Test:** Pure ghee solidifies when placed in a refrigerator but returns to a liquid state at room temperature. If it remains liquid even after refrigeration, the ghee is counterfeit and adulterated.
**Water Test:** For this test, take a glass of water and add a small amount of ghee to it. If the ghee floats on the surface of the water, it is pure; however, if it sinks to the bottom, it is adulterated. (Google Translation from Gujarati)
