Joint enforcement operation uncovers alleged palm oil and vanaspati blending and counterfeit packaging network ahead of festive demand.
RAJASTHAN: Rajasthan authorities have seized 22,138 litres of suspected adulterated ghee, estimated to be worth approximately ₹1.60 crore, during coordinated enforcement operations at two commercial premises in Sri Ganganagar district.
The raids were conducted jointly by the Rajasthan Police CID Crime Branch, local police and food safety officials as part of a wider surveillance drive ahead of the festive season. Three individuals—identified in the supplied report as Ram Tayal (26), Mukesh Kumar (24) and Vikas Kumar (42)—were taken into custody. Authorities also reportedly recovered ₹3.50 lakh in cash.
Alleged adulteration and repackaging operation uncovered
The main operation took place at Ananya Trading Company, where officials seized 16,394 litres of suspected spurious ghee and other fat products.
According to the investigation, the premises were allegedly being used to collect expired, rancid and market-returned ghee stocks, blend them with cheaper vegetable fats and repackage the resulting products for sale.
Officials reportedly recovered sealing machinery, brand stickers, unlabelled containers and pre-printed packaging materials. Products carrying brand names including Trisalwa, Bansuri, Shrinand and Mayra were among the seized inventory.
The alleged operation raises concerns about the misuse of commercial packaging to market degraded or adulterated fat products as genuine dairy ghee.
Second warehouse yields 5,744 litres
The enforcement operation also covered New Vijay Trading Company, located along the Suratgarh Bypass.
Authorities seized an additional 5,744 litres of suspected counterfeit ghee from the premises.
The combined seizure from the two locations was 22,138 litres. Both premises were reportedly sealed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as investigators continued examining the supply and distribution network.
Also Read: Patiala Food Safety Drive: Suspected Unsafe Dairy Products Seized, 21 Improvement Notices Issued
Officials are also reported to be reviewing transport documents, GST invoices and interstate logistics records to identify the sources of the materials and determine the extent of the alleged distribution operation.
Palm oil and vanaspati blending under investigation
According to the supplied report, investigators suspect that lower-cost vegetable fats, including palm oil and vanaspati, were blended with returned or expired dairy stocks.
Such practices can alter the composition and characteristic properties of genuine ghee. Ghee is predominantly milk fat, with a characteristic fatty acid profile and specific chemical quality parameters.
Adulteration with vegetable oils can affect important analytical indicators, including:
- Reichert-Meissl (RM) value: An indicator related to volatile water-soluble fatty acids in fats.
- Polenske value: Measures volatile water-insoluble fatty acids.
- Fatty acid profile: Helps identify changes in the composition of milk fat.
- Other purity tests: Can help detect the presence of non-milk fats and oils.
Samples from the seized products have reportedly been sent for laboratory examination. The final determination of adulteration and the specific substances present will depend on analytical findings.
Food safety and market implications
The alleged repackaging of expired and market-returned ghee raises concerns beyond product adulteration. Degraded fats may also present quality and food-safety concerns, depending on their condition, storage history and chemical composition.
For the dairy industry, such cases can undermine consumer confidence in genuine ghee and create unfair competition for compliant manufacturers and dairy cooperatives.
Ghee is widely used in household consumption, sweet manufacturing, restaurants and traditional food businesses. Large-scale circulation of misrepresented products can therefore affect several parts of the food supply chain.
Investigation and further regulatory action
The seizure in Sri Ganganagar highlights the importance of coordinated enforcement, product traceability, laboratory testing and verification of packaging and distribution records.
Further action against those involved will depend on the investigation, laboratory findings and applicable legal proceedings.
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