Palanpur, February 26: Authorities have seized 4,000 kilograms of adulterated ghee worth approximately Rs. 17.5 lakh from the premises of a dairy product company in the industrial area of Deesa, located in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The adulterated ghee was allegedly intended for sale in Rajasthan during the festive season.
The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) reported that the company, identified as Shri Navkar Dairy Products, had failed to comply with a notice issued under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. Consequently, the company's license was revoked on September 4 of the previous year.
During a surprise inspection on Tuesday, FDCA officials discovered that despite the license cancellation, the company was still producing ghee. Upon further investigation and questioning of the responsible personnel, authorities suspected that the ghee produced at the facility was adulterated with soybean and vegetable fats.
The FDCA issued a statement indicating that legal action was initiated, leading to the collection of 11 samples of various branded ghee products from the company. These samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis. According to the officials, the adulterated ghee was being manufactured primarily at night and was intended for sale in Rajasthan during upcoming festivals.
The FDCA estimated the seized ghee's market value at Rs. 17.5 lakh, highlighting the serious public health risk posed by such adulterated products. Further legal proceedings are expected following the laboratory test results.
