Cooperative dairies produce 830 million kg of ghee. 400 million kg is adulterated.<\/p>\n
Dilip Patel
\nAhmedabad, March 23, 2026
\nGujarat’s cooperative dairies produce 830 million kg of ghee. If ghee produced by the private sector is also taken into account, the total production in Gujarat amounts to 1.6 billion kg. When samples of this ghee were tested, 25 percent of them failed. This directly implies that 25 percent of the ghee available in the market is adulterated. If one calculates 25 percent of the total 1.6 billion kg production, it is suspected that between 400 million and 500 million kg of adulterated ghee is being produced. It can be estimated that, on average, every individual in Gujarat consumes 5 to 6 kg of adulterated ghee and ghee-based sweets. Twenty-eight illicit factories involved in the production of thousands of tons of adulterated ghee have been busted.<\/p>\n
Much like the flow of adulterated milk, rivers of adulterated ghee are now flowing across Gujarat. A massive industry has emerged that manufactures counterfeit products\u2014including fake buttermilk and fake yogurt\u2014in unlimited quantities.<\/p>\n
Assembly Proceedings
\nSince 2024, 76,000 kg of ghee in Gujarat has failed quality tests. The highest volume of adulterated ghee was produced in the Mehsana district. In Mehsana, out of 24,491 samples tested, the largest proportion of ghee products failed the quality assessment.
\nIn Ahmedabad, 7,530 kg of ghee\u2014valued at \u20b94.163 million\u2014was found to be adulterated.
\nOn March 14, 2026, Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya informed the Gujarat Legislative Assembly that the adulteration of milk-based products had increased during the two-year period of 2024 and 2025. This figure includes 76,000 kg of ghee. In Mehsana, with 24,491 samples tested, the highest number of ghee products failed the quality assessment. In Ahmedabad, 4,500 food samples were collected, and 232 samples failed testing; these included 76 kg of *paneer* (cottage cheese) and 7,530 kg of *ghee* (clarified butter), valued at \u20b941.63 lakh.<\/p>\n
In Patan, 23,943 kg of *ghee*\u2014worth \u20b973.86 lakh\u2014was seized during the years 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n
In enforcement actions carried out up to January 31, 2024, 129 kg of *ghee* was found to be unfit for human consumption.<\/p>\n
In Kutch, 2,249 liters of *ghee* were found to be unfit for consumption, while in Gandhinagar, 17,842 liters were similarly deemed unfit.<\/p>\n
This information was shared by the Minister of State for Health in the Legislative Assembly.<\/p>\n
2025 \u2013 Commissioner<\/p>\n
A special drive was launched to take action against traders selling adulterated *ghee* during the festive season. Within a span of 10 days, adulterated *ghee* worth \u20b93 to \u20b94 crore was seized from across the state. Dr. H.G. Koshiya, the Food and Drug Regulatory Commissioner, stated that on September 13, 2025, raids conducted at various locations across the state resulted in the seizure of goods worth over \u20b91 crore; this included raw materials used to manufacture counterfeit *ghee* by adulterating pure *ghee*.<\/p>\n
In Gandhidham, 69 tons of goods\u2014valued at \u20b91.4 crore\u2014were seized.<\/p>\n
In Dhrol (Jamnagar), 69 tons of *ghee*\u2014which was being used for adulteration purposes\u2014was seized from Krishna Trading Company.<\/p>\n
Ambaji<\/p>\n
On October 6, 2023, adulteration of *ghee* was detected in the *Prasad* (religious offering) distributed at the Ambaji Temple. Thousands of tons of counterfeit *ghee* had been distributed as *Prasad*. The government has not yet released any official accounting regarding this matter.<\/p>\n
The prime accused, Jatin Shah\u2014owner of Neelkanth Traders\u2014had procured the *ghee* from Dushyant Soni. A major fair (*Mela*) was held during the *Bhadarvi Poonam* festival, spanning from September 23 to September 29, 2023. Mohanthal is served as *prasad* (religious offering), for which the agency had already placed an order for ghee in advance to replenish its stock. The entire matter came to light later when a sample of the ghee failed quality testing.
\nThe ghee was purchased from Jatin Shah, the owner of Neelkanth Traders in Ahmedabad.
\nThe contract for the *prasad* supply was awarded to the Touch Stone Foundation, Ahmedabad, for the period spanning 2012 to 2017. The Touch Stone Foundation had previously been fined \u20b960,000 for adulteration in the *prasad*.
\nThe tender of Mohini Caterers\u2014the company responsible for preparing the Mohanthal\u2014has not been renewed.<\/p>\n
**Dairy Units**
\n**Anand**
\nAdulteration was detected during tests conducted at Amul’s laboratory on July 21, 2020. The Milk Union faced allegations regarding the adulteration of its ghee.<\/p>\n
**Mehsana \u2013 Dudh Sagar Dairy**
\nOn September 17, 2020, adulteration involving 16 percent palm oil was detected in the ‘Sagar’ brand ghee\u2014valued at \u20b940 crore\u2014produced by Dudh Sagar Dairy in Mehsana. Following the discovery of this adulteration, sales of the ghee witnessed a decline of 34 percent.
\nForty employees were transferred in the wake of the incident.
\nDespite repeated requests from the GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation)\u2014which included an offer of a 50 percent subsidy over a two-year period\u2014Dudh Sagar 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 remanded to police custody for three days.
\nThe Milk Marketing Federation had directed Dudh Sagar Dairy to purchase a GC machine instead of relying on the existing RM machine. An RM machine checks the RM value of ghee and indicates its general purity level.
\nHowever, new types of chemicals are now being added to ghee to mask adulteration, thereby preventing the RM machine from detecting any impurities. When the Federation conducted an inspection at Dudh Sagar Dairy, approximately 600 metric tonnes (MT) of ghee\u2014stored in the warehouse for sale and valued at \u20b940 crore\u2014was found to be adulterated. It was subsequently revealed that a criminal conspiracy had been orchestrated. Instead of being destroyed, the adulterated ghee was handed over to a transporter.<\/p>\n
Dudhsagar Dairy used to import ghee from Haryana; however, permission had been granted to procure only milk and milk powder from that specific plant\u2014the production of ghee was not authorized.<\/p>\n
**Adulterated Ghee in Palli, Too**
\nIn Palli, there is a custom of offering *Desi Ghee* (clarified butter). Every year, 1.5 million visitors arrive and offer a total of 600,000 liters of ghee, valued at \u20b920 crore. During this period, shops selling counterfeit ghee under the guise of authentic *Desi Ghee* spring up across the area.<\/p>\n
**Counterfeit Ghee Racket Busted in Ahmedabad: 70 Tins Seized**<\/p>\n
In Ahmedabad, the Sarkhej police seized 70 tins of counterfeit Amul ghee.<\/p>\n
**4 Tons of Ghee**
\nIn Anjar (Gandhidham-Kutch), approximately 5,000 kg of ghee was discovered at a farmhouse located near Varsamedi village. The ghee stored at the farmhouse belonged to its owner, Yatin Prabhu Koli.<\/p>\n
**Ahmedabad**
\nIn 2021, near the Sanand Circle in Ahmedabad city…<\/p>\n
2,400 kg of counterfeit ghee was seized from Jagdish Estate.<\/p>\n
Two individuals were arrested and interrogated in connection with 160 tins, each containing 15 kg of ghee. The consignment was being procured from a merchant, packed in Ahmedabad, and transported to Rajkot. The accused would prepare and seal a 15-kg tin of counterfeit ghee for a cost of \u20b91,500. They would then fill these tins with counterfeit ghee and sell them for \u20b95,000. They affixed labels of Amul and other brands onto these tins.<\/p>\n
**Ghee Worth \u20b9500 Crore Seized**
\nOn July 16, 2018, goods worth \u20b9500 crore were seized during a raid conducted at the premises of Rajeshbhai Chavda, the owner of Shiv Industries factory, located in Gugariyala village near the police station in Surendranagar. The police seized machinery, counterfeit ghee, butter, palm oil, incriminating materials, tins, and barrels\u2014including goods valued at \u20b977 lakh. The counterfeit ghee was being sold at a rate of \u20b9450. This illicit trade in counterfeit ghee had been operational for four years. Packaging options ranging from 250-gram packs to 15-kg tins were available.<\/p>\n
**Counterfeit Ghee**
\nIn 2025, counterfeit ghee bearing the Amul brand label was intercepted at Payal Traders, located in Sector-26 of the GIDC industrial estate in Gandhinagar. A total of 207 kg of goods\u2014comprising suspicious pouches of Amul-branded ghee (in 15 kg and 500 ml sizes) and Amul ghee labels\u2014was seized. The estimated value of this seized quantity is approximately \u20b970,000.<\/p>\n
**Deesa**
\nOn February 26, 2025, 4,000 kg of adulterated ghee\u2014valued at \u20b917.5 lakh\u2014was seized from the premises of Navkar Dairy Products in the Deesa area of \u200b\u200bGujarat’s Banaskantha district. This consignment was intended to be shipped to Rajasthan for sale during the festive season.
\nThe company’s license, issued by the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Authority, had previously been revoked on September 4, 2023. Nevertheless, the company continued to produce ghee. Nani Bhakhari
\nThe Banaskantha Police raided a fake ghee manufacturing unit in Nani Bhakhari village of Deesa Taluka. A large quantity of ghee pouches bearing the Amul and Sagar brands were seized at the location.<\/p>\n
Rajkot
\nThe police apprehended an individual at the warehouse of Rameshwar Dairy, located within Shivdham Society-3 on Kothariya Road in Rajkot, for packaging and selling counterfeit Amul-branded ghee. The seizure included 10 tins of Amul ghee worth \u20b948,000; 1,090 pouches of 500 ml Amul ghee worth \u20b9207,100; and 61 pouches of 1-liter Amul ghee worth \u20b923,180.<\/p>\n
Rajkot \u2013 Amul Counterfeit
\nOn July 5, 2021, 395 tins of 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 allegations. While defending himself against the charge of adulterating sunflower oil, he stated that sunflower oil labels were affixed because the original labels for the Palmolein oil had expired. In his defense regarding the ghee, he claimed that the original Amul ghee tins had been swapped with “Collector” tins (generic tins). It was alleged that other types of ghee were being mixed into the Amul ghee tins. A total of 284 kg of ghee, valued at \u20b91.13 lakh, was seized.<\/p>\n
Rajkot
\nOn August 21, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted a raid at the dairy unit of M\/s Korova Milk Products Pvt. Ltd. in Rajkot, Gujarat, seizing goods worth approximately \u20b91.13 lakh. Additionally, 6,500 kg of adulterated ghee, valued at \u20b935 lakh, was seized. The ghee was found to be adulterated with extraneous fats.<\/p>\n
Nadiad
\nOn March 26, 2025, an operation at the ghee manufacturing facility of Kshem Kalyani & Milk Products\u2014located in Godown No. 3, Salon Talpad, on the Nadiad-Dakor Road\u2014resulted in the apprehension of individuals engaged in the adulteration of ghee. 3,109 kg of ghee and adulterated substances were seized. Suspicious ghee worth \u20b98.5 lakh was confiscated. Dilipsinh Khumansinh Raulji was interrogated.
\nButter oil and ghee flavoring agents were being mixed into the ghee (marketed under the ‘Shri Kalyani’ brand).
\nA sample of the ghee was collected from a 15-kg container. Samples of the butter oil and ghee flavoring agents were also collected. The seized inventory included 1,500 kg of ghee (valued at \u20b95.25 lakh), 1,600 kg of butter oil, and 1 liter of ghee flavoring\u2014totaling a combined quantity of 3,100 kg.<\/p>\n
**Kheda**
\nOn March 27, 2025, a factory named ‘Kalyani,’ located on Dakor Road in Nadiad (Kheda district), was caught manufacturing 3,109 kg of counterfeit ghee valued at \u20b98.5 lakh.<\/p>\n
**Key Incidents**<\/p>\n
**Kutch**
\nOn October 13, 2025, a factory in Gandhidham (Kutch) was discovered using refined palm oil as its primary ingredient to produce a product with a texture identical to that of pure ghee. Goods\u2014including raw materials\u2014worth \u20b91.4 crore were seized; these items were being utilized to manufacture counterfeit ghee by adulterating pure ghee.<\/p>\n
During the administrative raid, a total of eight samples were collected; four of these samples were taken from ‘Krishna Trading Company’ in Dhrol (Jamnagar) and sent to a laboratory for testing.<\/p>\n
The remaining stock amounted to approximately 69,000 kg (69 tons). These samples were collected at ‘Bharat Foods Co-operative Limited’ (located in Gandhidham) in the presence of Akhilesh Kumar Krishnapal Singh. During the investigation, the entire stock of 67 tons of suspicious Refined Palm Oil (RPO)\u2014estimated to be worth \u20b91.32 crore\u2014was seized. The production and sale of this Refined Palm Oil (RPO) were being conducted under the brand name ‘Savera,’ packaged in 15-kg containers.<\/p>\n
**Gondal**
\nOn August 20, 2025, a factory manufacturing counterfeit ghee\u2014identified as ‘M\/s Korova Milk Products’\u2014was apprehended in Gomta, Gondal (Rajkot). 6,500 kg of ghee, valued at \u20b935 lakh, has been seized. It was found to contain vegetable fat.<\/p>\n
Jamnagar
\nOn October 12, 2025, individuals were caught red-handed at Krishna Trading Ghee in Dhrol, Jamnagar, while adulterating ghee with soybean and vegetable fats. The merchant involved was Bharat Khimsuriya.
\nAdditionally, two tons of other food items, with an estimated value of \u20b95.8 lakh, were seized.
\nAction has also been initiated to cancel the license of Krishna Trading Company.<\/p>\n
Surendranagar
\nOn June 3, 2025, 2,700 kg of Maheshwari Products and Chemicals were seized in Surendranagar.<\/p>\n
The value of the seized products is approximately \u20b913 lakh, and they were confiscated in the interest of public safety.
\nRajesh Bharat Chavda was present at Shiv Industries, located on Chotila Road, Gugaliyana, Thangadh. At this location, loose ghee under the ‘Shri Bhog’ brand was found…<\/p>\n
…[used] for its preparation were butter and refined Palmolein oil.<\/p>\n
**Navsari**
\nOn June 24, 2024, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration seized 3,000 kg of adulterated ghee\u2014valued at \u20b914 lakh\u2014in Navsari. This ghee was adulterated with impure oil, which health experts consider toxic to the human body. Palmolein oil had been mixed into it. Ten cans of Palmolein oil were also recovered.<\/p>\n
**Mehsana**
\nOn October 14, 2024, 45.5 tons of suspected ghee\u2014valued at \u20b91.39 crore\u2014was seized. Hariom Products, located at Rajratna Estate in Budasan, Kadini (Mehsana), did not possess a valid FSSAI license. Foreign fats, palm oil, and ghee were recovered from the premises. Ramu Dakuram Dangi was present at the time of the raid. A total of 43,100 kg of material, valued at \u20b91.25 crore, was seized.<\/p>\n
**Patan**
\nOn October 14, 2024, suspected ghee was being manufactured at the firm of Nitin Kumar Bhai Lal Ghiwala, located near ‘Three Gates’ in Patan city. The remaining stock of 2,400 kg\u2014valued at \u20b914.30 lakh\u2014was seized.<\/p>\n
**Siddhpur**
\nOn February 22, 2025, a private luxury bus belonging to Rajdhani Travels\u2014traveling from Patan to Siddhpur\u2014was intercepted while transporting goods destined for Mumbai. Small and large containers of ghee, valued at \u20b93,92,250, were discovered in compartment number 105 of the bus.
\nThe luxury bus driver, Sameer Khan Mahboob Khan Chand Khan Baluch, and the conductor, Ranjit Deshlaji Visaji Thakor, were taken into custody. **Siddhpur**
\nOn August 8, 2024, suspected ghee was seized from the Dairywala Products factory in Siddhpur. Upon inspection, 5,500 kg of ghee recovered from the Dairywala Products factory\u2014operating at Plot No. 237 in the Siddhpur GIDC industrial estate\u2014was found to be adulterated. The ghee was adulterated with vegetable oil. Ghee worth \u20b916.50 lakh was seized.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nOn March 14, 2026, a major scam involving the manufacture of counterfeit ghee\u2014adulterated with vegetable oil and marketed as “pure cow ghee”\u2014was uncovered at Shop Nos. 106 and 107 of Avasar Plaza, near Rangoli Chowkdi in the Utran area of \u200b\u200bSurat. The facility was operating under the name ‘Tata Dairy Products.’ A man named Nihar Bharatbhai Mavaliya was producing the fake ghee, which was being sold under the brand names ‘Shri Sahajanand Cow Ghee’ and ‘Shri Gajanan Cow Ghee.’ Goods worth \u20b93.60 lakh were seized, including 582.02 liters of suspected counterfeit ghee, the machinery used for its production, and containers of palm oil kept for adulteration purposes.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nOn October 15, 2025, ghee samples collected from three shops in the Amroli area of \u200b\u200bSurat failed quality tests. The ghee was found to contain excessive levels of fats and fatty acids. Over 9,000 kilograms of ghee were seized, and four individuals involved in selling the counterfeit ghee were arrested. This entire operation was carried out through raids conducted at Shri Mahadev Dairy, New Adinath Dairy, and the New Adinath Warehouse. Samples of various food items\u2014including sweets and ghee\u2014were collected for testing.<\/p>\n
**Vadnagar**
\nOn October 14, 2019, a joint team comprising police personnel and officials from the Food and Drug Department conducted surprise night inspections at two ghee trading units in Mehsana and Vadnagar, under the guidance of Deputy Superintendent of Police Manjita Vanzara. Goods worth \u20b984,470 were seized on suspicion of adulteration.<\/p>\n
**Vadgam**
\nIn 2019, *Desi Ghee* (clarified butter) of the ‘Gaurav’ brand\u2014valued at \u20b910,24,860\u2014was seized from a factory named ‘Shri Riddhi Vinayak Products,’ located in Mahi village near Chhapi in the Vadgam taluka. A total of 3,306 kilograms of *Desi Ghee* were confiscated. Deesa and Palanpur are increasingly gaining notoriety as hubs for the production and sale of counterfeit ghee. Dahod
\nDuring a raid at a factory named ‘New Babaji Enterprise’ in the Kharedi GIDC area of \u200b\u200bDahod, counterfeit food products\u2014including Palmolein oil\u2014were seized. The police confiscated oil pouches of various brands, stickers, and other items from the factory. In total, the police seized goods worth \u20b915 lakh, including oil valued at \u20b91.17 lakh.<\/p>\n
Ghee Production
\nGhee production across 22 cooperative dairies.
\nIn the year 2024-25, Gujarat produced 831,574.12 tonnes (83.16 crore kg) of ghee. Ghee production (in tonnes) in Gujarat’s cooperative dairies during 2024-25:<\/p>\n
Junagadh – 784,229
\nBanaskantha – 14,023
\nMehsana – 9,475.50
\nSabarkantha – 7,022
\nPanchmahal – 5,544
\nSurat – 4,049.04
\nRajkot – 2,005
\nValsad – 1,695.99
\nPorbandar – 817.40
\nVadodara – 612.41
\nKutch – 591.44
\nGandhinagar – 532.72
\nSurendranagar – 527
\nBhavnagar – 239.94
\nAhmedabad – 176.22
\nAmreli – 33.10
\nMorbi – 00
\nBotad – 00
\nDwarka – 00
\nBharuch – 00
\nJamnagar – 00
\nKheda – 00
\nTotal – 831,574.12<\/p>\n
Health Risks
\nPalmolein oil is commonly referred to as palm oil; it is the most widely consumed oil in the world. Harvard University identifies this oil as a contributing factor to heart disease. This oil can cause many heart diseases. It contains about 50 percent saturated fat. This fat accumulates in the arteries and forms plaque, blocking them.
\nFake ghee is dangerous for health. It is harmful to the digestive system, constipation, acidity, heart disease, cholesterol, liver, and kidneys. It is harmful to children and pregnant women. The chemicals present in it increase the risk of cancer in the long term. Fake ghee contains more hard fat and trans fat.<\/p>\n
The Collector oversees cases of food adulteration. Since then, adulteration has increased.<\/p>\n
Ghee Market
\nThere is a large ghee market in the Baradi area of Khambhalia in Dwarka. A large number of people come to sell ghee from Khambhalia, Lalpur, Bhanvad, and Kalyanpur. 7,000 to 8,000 kg of ghee is sold daily. At \u20b9460 per kg, the ghee is worth \u20b930 to 40 lakh. The ghee sold by the owners is auctioned in public. Three Types of Soda<\/p>\n
Bitter, bitter-tasting ghee is made. Livestock farmers feed buffaloes cottonseed and rice bran. Cottonseed feed produces high-quality ghee. There is a special type of grass that, when grazed, increases the fat content of buffalo milk.<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad Market
\nGhee sold in the Ahmedabad market for 200 to 250 rupees per kg in the name of purity contains up to 80 percent vegetable oil.<\/p>\n
…and turmeric are present. 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 people’s health. Consuming such products increases the 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 drops to a mere 1 or 2. Turmeric is often added to give the ghee a yellow hue. This poses a risk of heart disease and cancer.”<\/p>\n
**Baba Ramdev**
\nIn August 2022, ghee from Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali brand was found to be adulterated and detrimental to health during testing. Samples of the cow ghee failed the laboratory tests. A complaint was subsequently filed against Patanjali in court. Following the findings of the Uttarakhand State Lab, the samples also failed 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 issued a notice to the company, the company dismissed the State Lab’s report as false. However, Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali brand ghee failed the tests at the Central Lab as well. As a result, the Food Safety Department is proceeding with the appeal against the company in the ADM Court in Tehri. Food Safety Officer M.N. Joshi stated that, according to the lab report, Patanjali ghee is adulterated; it fails to meet the prescribed standards for ghee and has been declared harmful to health. Baba’s cow ghee is sold on a large scale throughout Gujarat.<\/p>\n
**Himatnagar**
\nOn March 18, 2026\u2014following a fake milk scam\u2014a network involved in the illicit production of 208 kg of fake ghee, valued at \u20b950,000, was busted in Raigarh village within the Himatnagar Taluka. The ghee was being manufactured illegally inside the residence of a food business operator. During the raid, authorities discovered vegetable ghee, soybean oil, and a suspicious white powder on the premises. Counterfeit ghee was being prepared by mixing these ingredients. A man named Khubiram Shivcharan Sharma was apprehended.<\/p>\n
**Veraval**
\nOn September 27, 2025, a merchant named Gautam Ratilal Vaghela was selling branded ‘Mahi’ and ‘Ever Green’ ghee\u2014adulterated with castor oil, vegetable oil, and soy oil\u2014at a shop named “Volga Ghee Depot,” located near Patan Darwaza in Veraval, Gir Somnath. He was selling the ghee at a price ranging from \u20b9300 to \u20b9700 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
**Rajkot**
\nOn 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 was selling ghee at \u20b9800 per kg, cow ghee at \u20b9640 per kg, and buffalo ghee at \u20b9580 per kg from a dairy unit located in the Vaniyawadi area.<\/p>\n
**Deesa**
\nOn October 13, 2029, suspicious goods worth \u20b96 lakh were seized from the warehouse of Sagar Devchandbhai Panchiwala in the Harsoliavas area of \u200b\u200bDeesa. Two samples of ghee\u2014branded as ‘Happy’ and ‘Raj’\u2014were collected for testing.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nOn March 21, 2024, 225 kg of counterfeit ghee was seized from the Rander area of \u200b\u200bSurat. The containers holding the ghee bore the logos of branded ghee companies. The accused, identified as Rajesh Patel, was arrested.<\/p>\n
The seized items included five sealed containers of refined soybean oil (15 kg each) and containers holding 15 kg of ‘Raag’ vegetable oil.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nIn 2019, 314 kg of suspicious cow ghee\u2014packed in 21 tins of 15 kg each\u2014was discovered at a firm operating within the Ambika Industrial Estate, located in Saroli on Kadodara Road in the Surat district.
\nThe seized ghee amounted to 314 kg, with an estimated market value of \u20b91 lakh. Surat
\nOn June 27, 2015, a fine of \u20b95.5 lakh was imposed in Surat on Deep Dravya and Inter-esterified Vegetable Fat.<\/p>\n
Ghee Seized from a Car
\nThe police seized 113 pouches of counterfeit Amul ghee from a car in Modasa, located in the Aravalli district. Upon receiving this information, responsible officials from Sabar Dairy arrived in Modasa.<\/p>\n
Counterfeits in Surat
\nIn 2021, the Surat Police and the Health Department conducted a raid. A warehouse in Surat\u2014where counterfeit ghee was being packaged under the brand names of Sumul and Amul Sagar Dairy\u2014was busted. A factory engaged in duplicating the oil and ghee products of a renowned company was uncovered.<\/p>\n
Prior Incidents
\nPreviously, out of 40 samples collected from 22 dairies in Ahmedabad, 80 percent failed laboratory tests.<\/p>\n
Beware: Risk of Cancer
\nAmong all dairy products, ghee has been found to contain the highest levels of adulteration. Vegetable fat is extensively used to artificially increase the fat content in ghee. Consumers of such products face risks ranging from diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intestinal infections to typhoid, cholera, and\u2014in the long run\u2014cancer.<\/p>\n
Rivers of Counterfeit Ghee Flowing Under BJP Rule<\/p>\n
Health officials in Gujarat have completely failed to prevent the public from consuming adulterated ghee. Instead of producing ghee from cow or buffalo milk, thousands of individuals are now manufacturing adulterated ghee. Only a handful of them are ever caught. Under the BJP regime, it is not rivers of authentic ghee that flow, but rather rivers of counterfeit ghee. The sale of counterfeit ghee is increasing day by day. While the police manage to seize counterfeit ghee in most instances, an impression has emerged that Hemant Koshia\u2014the head of the Food and Drug Regulatory Authority, who bears the responsibility for safeguarding public health\u2014and his staff are doing nothing to address the issue. Questions are now being raised regarding their accountability. This illicit racket continues to operate unchecked. Factories producing counterfeit ghee are flourishing in Gujarat, thereby compromising public health. As revealed by sample tests, 25 percent of the ghee trade in Gujarat involves counterfeit products.<\/p>\n
This fact has been unequivocally established.<\/p>\n
Krishna’s sacred land\u2014Dwarka\u2014is no exception to this trend.
\nKhambhalia, located in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district, hosts the country’s largest ghee market. In Bhanvad\u2014a town within the Kalyanpur taluka\u2014a massive dairy trade thrives despite the absence of livestock. Counterfeit milk is used to manufacture fake curd, buttermilk, and ghee. Previously, in Khambhalia…<\/p>\n
Once renowned for its pure ghee, the region is now notorious for counterfeit ghee. This fake ghee is manufactured by mixing chemical essences and heating *paan* (betel) leaves. Ghee worth merely \u20b950 is sold at a price ranging from \u20b9500 to \u20b9600 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
**500 kg of Ghee Seized**
\nOn October 9, 2018, a similar counterfeit ghee manufacturing scam was uncovered in the Jamnagar City-A Division area. Acting on a tip-off, the Jamnagar Police conducted raids and seized 500 kilograms of fake ghee from five different locations. Prior to this, 1,200 liters of milk had also been seized. Harun Usman and Amin Harun were the individuals operating the dairy business involved in this scheme. A total of 528 kg of counterfeit ghee, valued at \u20b92.62 lakh, was confiscated. Additionally, 44 kettles, 7 cans of palm oil, and 19 cans of vegetable ghee were seized.<\/p>\n
**300 kg Seized in Upleta**
\nOn May 3, 2018, 300 kilograms of adulterated, counterfeit ghee were 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 produced by mixing vegetable ghee with cooking oil. Sanjay Kachela, who was apprehended along with the illicit ghee manufacturing unit, had been selling the duplicate product in Upleta and the surrounding villages. The seized items\u2014all of which were used in the production of the ghee\u2014included 1,573 cans of various types of ghee, 10 cans of soybean oil, 54 cans of vegetable ghee, and 5 gas cylinders.<\/p>\n
**100 kg of Adulterated Ghee Found in Jetpur**
\nIn the city of Jetpur, Rajkot district, police discovered 100 kilograms of adulterated ghee inside a residential home. This stash was recovered from the residence of an elderly woman named Labhuben Bhavanbhai Khunt, who had been engaged in the production of counterfeit ghee for a considerable period. The ghee in question had been manufactured by her son-in-law, Raju Keshu Kamani. Adulterated Ghee in Kutiyana
\nOn July 13, the police busted a dairy named ‘Bhole’ that was manufacturing counterfeit ghee. From the premises, authorities recovered 70 containers of chemicals, 120 containers (25 kg each) of raw materials, one container of finished ghee, and 150 empty barrels. Goods worth \u20b94.50 lakh were seized. The dairy owners, Manoj Bhishmapari and Satyapal Bhishmapari Goswami, were arrested. Corrupt officials from the Food and Drugs Department had been turning a blind eye, allowing them to operate their illicit business.<\/p>\n
Counterfeit ghee was seized from Kutiyana. Notably, manufacturers of fake ghee had been arrested in 2007 as well. Although such adulterated ghee is being smuggled into milk dairies\u2014often operating under the guise of cooperative dairies\u2014within the Porbandar district, corrupt officials at the Food and Drugs Regulatory Office continue to allow this to happen.<\/p>\n
1,229 kg of Counterfeit Ghee Seized from Milk Dairy<\/p>\n
In Chadela, 1,229 kg of counterfeit ghee\u2014valued at \u20b94.5 lakh\u2014was seized from the Mahesh Milk Center. Samples of ghee had been collected from this dairy in November 2017. After laboratory reports revealed the ghee to be of substandard quality, the Adjudicating Officer and Deputy Collector filed a case against the proprietor, Mahesh Bhanu Thakkar, and imposed a fine of \u20b97 lakh. The seized ghee was subsequently destroyed at a designated dumping site on Nagor Road in Bhuj.<\/p>\n
Adulteration Under the Guise of Amul Ghee<\/p>\n
Following a police seizure of counterfeit ghee in Deesa (Banas Kantha district) on November 29, 2017, the police recently conducted a raid on a factory in Chandisar, Deesa, and seized a consignment of suspicious ghee. Authorities recovered over 600 containers of ghee bearing the ‘Amul’ brand label. The owner stated that he was manufacturing the ghee on behalf of a company named ‘Health.’<\/p>\n
In Palanpur, ghee made from potatoes and papayas is available on the market. A gang selling counterfeit ghee was apprehended in Palanpur; they used potatoes, papayas, preservatives, and various other chemicals to manufacture the product. When an alert citizen caught them in the act, a crowd gathered and subjected them to a beating. The illicit ghee manufacturing operation was being conducted within a slum area.<\/p>\n
**Banaskantha**
\nOn December 21, 2025, an illegal ghee manufacturing operation was exposed at the Chandisar GIDC in Banaskantha. A suspicious stock worth \u20b924 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 other adulterants was discovered on the premises. They were selling a mixture of cow and buffalo ghee under the brand name “Ghoomar.”<\/p>\n
**Counterfeit Amul Ghee**
\nOn October 27, 2017, in Rajkot, the police\u2014in collaboration with the Health Department of the Municipal Corporation\u2014apprehended two brothers (relatives referred to as *Mama* and *Mami*) who had been repeatedly selling counterfeit and adulterated ghee under the Amul brand name. The duo was caught running a business involving the sale of this product in both cans and pouches. A case was registered against both individuals, they were arrested, and counterfeit ghee worth \u20b92.78 lakh was seized. The seized items included 10 cans of Amul ghee valued at \u20b948,000; 1,090 pouches of 500ml ghee valued at \u20b92.07 lakh; and 61 pouches of 1-liter ghee valued at \u20b923,180. 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 Sections 78 B, D, and E of the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958.<\/p>\n
**Counterfeit ‘Sagar’ Ghee**
\nOn February 4, 2018, in the Dhanera Taluka, edible oil and ghee were being sold wholesale under counterfeit brand labels. A customer became suspicious after noticing a price discrepancy of \u20b9300 on a 15-kilogram pack. Adulterated ghee of this nature has been seized on previous occasions as well.<\/p>\n
Adulteration Detected in 900 Tons of Ghee at Dudhsagar Amul Dairy<\/p>\n