The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's food safety department conducted raids at three locations across the city, confiscating 4,850 kilograms of suspected spurious cow ghee valued at approximately Rs 31.8 lakh.
Details of the Raids
The primary target was a super-stockist located at Lakshmanbhai Industrial Estate in the Indrapuri ward, where authorities seized 3,250 kilograms of the product sold under two brand names: Rhythm Cow Ghee and Vachanamrut Cow Ghee. Following leads from that operation, officials moved to distributors in Vatva and Dudheshwar, confiscating an additional 1,600 kilograms of the suspect material.
Evidence of Adulteration
Dr Tejas Shah, the additional medical officer of health, highlighted the economic indicators of adulteration. The product was supplied to distributors at Rs 330 to Rs 350 per kilogram, while carrying a maximum retail price (MRP) of approximately Rs 700. Dr Shah stated, "Genuine cow ghee cannot be produced at that cost. Established brands operate on far tighter margins." Investigators believe the substance is not ghee but a mixture of cheap vegetable fats processed to resemble the product.
Licensing Loopholes
The raids have also brought attention to food safety licensing regulations. Under current rules, manufacturers with an annual turnover below Rs 1.5 crore can obtain an FSSAI licence through self-declaration alone. A senior AMC official noted, "The Daskroi-based manufacturer linked to this seizure may have used this route."
Ongoing Investigation
The AMC has sealed all involved units and sent samples for forensic laboratory testing, with results pending. Dr Shah emphasized the scale of the operation, saying, "The seizure of nearly 5 tonnes across three locations in a single day suggests the network was not a fringe operation. We believe it was primarily targeting peripheral and rural markets where consumers are less likely to question brand authenticity." The Rs 700 MRP on the seized packets was designed to appear credible, he added.
