India: 4,000kg adulterated ghee worth Rs17.5 lakh seized in Gujarat’s Banaskantha Raid

Banaskantha: Gujarat: Authorities have seized 4,000kg of adulterated ghee worth Rs17.5 lakh (Rs1.75 million) in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district during raids by the state’s Food and Drugs Department.

The crackdown targeted Navkar Dairy Products in Deesa and Palanpur, where officials collected 11 samples and seized the contaminated ghee, which was intended for sale in Rajasthan.

Repeated violations

Navkar Dairy Products had previously been fined for adulterating edible oil and was already under scrutiny for violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Despite receiving two warnings to rectify its shortcomings, the company failed to comply, leading to the cancellation of its license. However, during a surprise inspection, officials discovered that the company was still producing ghee illegally.

Upon questioning Sanjaykumar Babulal Mahesuriya, the person responsible, suspicions arose that the ghee was adulterated with soybean oil and interesterified vegetable fat. Consequently, 11 samples from different brands and weights were collected for testing.

The confiscated stock, meant for sale during festive seasons in Rajasthan, was seized in the interest of public health. The samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, with further legal action pending based on the results.

History of adulteration

The trader has a record of food adulteration, having previously been fined Rs 1.25 lakh for tampering with edible oil and Rs 25,000 in a criminal case related to color adulteration in chili powder.

Statewide crackdown

Between January 2023 and March 2024, the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) carried out 15 special drives, targeting adulterated food products such as nutraceuticals, farali foods, ghee, millets, dry fruits, nuts, bakery items, and spices. These operations resulted in collection of 18,686 samples; seizure of 772.7 tonnes of suspected adulterated food worth Rs5.53 crore and destruction of 13.8 tonnes of unsafe food valued at Rs43.88 lakh.

In a notable 15-day campaign from October 3 to October 17, 2024, termed the “Food Safety Pakhwada,” FDCA officials conducted raids at 115 locations across the state. This initiative led to the seizure or destruction of around 233 tonnes of suspected adulterated food materials, including 32 tonnes of inedible ghee worth Rs 3.8 crore and 36 tonnes of sweet ‘mava’.

The total estimated value of the seized products was approximately Rs 6.6 crore. All seized samples were sent to laboratories for analysis, with further legal actions pending based on the results. During the same period, the FDCA collected fines amounting to Rs 1 crore, with Banaskantha district alone accounting for Rs 65 lakh in penalties.

Additionally, in the first four days of the ‘Food Safety Fortnight’ during Navratri in October 2024, the health department seized 32,000 kg of adulterated food items, including milk products and edible oil, worth over Rs 1.73 crore, across 1,170 raids.

Despite these rigorous enforcement actions, challenges persist. Data presented during the winter session of Parliament in December 2024 revealed that 8.3 per cent of food samples tested in Gujarat between April and September 2024 failed to meet safety standards. Specifically, 360 out of 4,316 food samples analysed were found non-compliant.

The total estimated value of the seized products was approximately Rs 6.6 crore. All seized samples were sent to laboratories for analysis, with further legal actions pending based on the results. During the same period, the FDCA collected fines amounting to Rs 1 crore, with Banaskantha district alone accounting for Rs 65 lakh in penalties.

Additionally, in the first four days of the ‘Food Safety Fortnight’ during Navratri in October 2024, the health department seized 32,000 kg of adulterated food items, including milk products and edible oil, worth over Rs 1.73 crore, across 1,170 raids.

Despite these rigorous enforcement actions, challenges persist. Data presented during the winter session of Parliament in December 2024 revealed that 8.3 per cent of food samples tested in Gujarat between April and September 2024 failed to meet safety standards. Specifically, 360 out of 4,316 food samples analysed were found non-compliant.