Key Update

Authorities have uncovered an illegal ghee manufacturing unit in Barmer, Rajasthan, seizing 870 kg of fake ghee, large quantities of edible oils and adulterants, and processing equipment. Two individuals have been detained in connection with the operation.

The District Special Team (DST) of the Sadar Police Station discovered the unit during a raid near Chamunda Hotel on Ring Road. Officers had initially launched the operation to investigate information about a suspected drug manufacturing unit but instead uncovered a large-scale ghee adulteration racket.

Large Quantity of Counterfeit Ghee and Raw Materials Seized

During the raid, police detained Jitendra Jain and Tilok Godara. They seized 870 kg of ready-to-sell fake ghee, along with 1,660 kg of palm oil, 360 kg of soybean oil, 240 kg of refined oil, 75 kg of Khariya brand ghee, and nearly 370 kg of Shri Hari Vanaspati.

Authorities also recovered ghee-processing machinery, packaging equipment, and other materials allegedly used to manufacture and package the adulterated product.

How the Counterfeit Ghee Was Produced

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused procured cream from Maruti Dairy and local markets to extract genuine ghee. They allegedly diluted it with 30–35% palm oil and added 3–5% vanaspati along with other adulterants to imitate the grainy texture of pure desi ghee. Investigators also found that salt was used during processing before the product was packaged for sale.

Police said the counterfeit ghee was sold at ₹450–650 per kg, despite costing only about ₹250 per kg to produce. The operation had reportedly been running for one to one-and-a-half months, with the processing machinery sourced from Deesa and Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Samples Sent for Laboratory Analysis

Additional Superintendent of Police Nitesh Arya described the adulterated product, sold as pure desi ghee, as “nothing less than poison,” warning that the ingredients used pose a serious risk to public health.

Food Inspector Rajesh Kumar Jagid said officials have sent samples of the seized ghee, edible oils, and other raw materials to the Food Safety Standards Laboratory in Jodhpur for analysis.

Meanwhile, authorities have sealed the manufacturing unit and are verifying the legality of cartons bearing the Shri Shiv Gauri brand name, along with the unit’s GST registration and manufacturing licences as part of the ongoing investigation.

Source: The Times of India