UTTAR PRADESH: The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has prohibited the manufacture, storage and sale of non-food ritual products under the name ‘Puja Ghee’, directing manufacturers to clearly distinguish products intended for religious use from edible ghee.
In an order issued on Saturday, FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob instructed food business operators holding licences or registrations in the state to ensure that non-edible products used for puja, havan and lighting lamps are not presented or marketed in a way that could lead consumers to mistake them for food.
The order warns that violations may result in the seizure of stocks and suspension of food licences or registrations.
Concerns Over Misleading Product Labels
According to the FSDA, some manufacturers allegedly use vanaspati, refined oils, essences, paraffin, mineral oil and other chemical substances to prepare ritual products that resemble edible ghee in colour, smell, packaging and appearance.
Such similarities create a risk of accidental consumption, particularly when products are sold in packaging that does not clearly communicate their non-food purpose.
The authority has clarified that products made from inedible fats for religious use cannot be labelled ‘ghee’ or marketed as ‘ghee for puja’. Edible ghee, meanwhile, must comply with the applicable food safety and compositional standards.
Mandatory Warnings on Non-Food Packs
The FSDA has directed manufacturers to display the words ‘Not for Human Consumption’ in both Hindi and English on retail packaging of non-food ritual products.
The packaging must also carry a black cross within a square of the prescribed dimensions, as specified in the order.
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Another key provision prohibits manufacturers from using the same brand name for edible ghee and non-food products made from inedible fats for religious purposes. The measure is intended to reduce consumer confusion and improve the distinction between food and non-food products.
Cross-Contamination Risks Underlined
The order also highlights the possibility of cross-contamination when non-food ritual products are manufactured or packaged on premises handling edible ghee, oils, fats or other food products.
Manufacturers must therefore ensure appropriate separation of production and packaging activities, along with controls to prevent non-food substances from entering the food supply chain.
Implications for Food Businesses
The directive has implications for manufacturers, packers, distributors and retailers handling ritual-use fats and oils in Uttar Pradesh. Businesses will need to review product names, brand identities, packaging, storage arrangements and manufacturing practices to ensure compliance.
The action reinforces the importance of accurate labelling and clear separation between products intended for human consumption and those manufactured exclusively for non-food purposes.
For consumers, the central message is to check product labels carefully and avoid consuming ritual-use products that are explicitly marked as unsuitable for human consumption.
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