Report

In a recent raid on a business in the Kotputli-Behror district, the Rajasthan Food Department confiscated 550 kg of allegedly contaminated ghee. Food Safety Officer Hemant Kumar and Additional District Collector Omprakash Saran led the operation against Sanwarya Agro Foods on Friday, responding to ongoing complaints.

The team sent samples of the seized ghee to Jaipur for further testing. Hemant Kumar reported that the staff revealed the owner, Manjeet from Haryana, imported the ghee in bulk from Delhi, repackaged it, and sold it to local merchants in remote areas.

Discovery and Actions Taken During the Raid

During the raid, the food safety team discovered large iron drums filled with ghee, ready for redistribution. They suspected tampering and confiscated the remaining product and submitted samples to the Jaipur Food Safety Laboratory. Based on the lab results, the Food Department announced it would strictly enforce the Food Safety Act of 2006. This raid has stirred concerns among local businesses suspected of engaging in similar practices.

Earlier this month, Jaipur police raided a factory and uncovered over 1,000 litres of counterfeit ghee, arresting two individuals.

This development coincides with a sting operation by a prominent media house that exposed adulteration in ghee produced in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a major manufacturing hub. Investigators found that tainted ghee was being distributed to unsuspecting consumers in branded containers. Vendors claimed the product was a mix of refined oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil, enhanced with fragrances to imitate the scent of authentic Desi ghee.

Following the sting operation, authorities conducted raids on ghee warehouses in Hathras, and the local administration formed a four-member committee to investigate the issue further.

Source: The India Today