FDCA Cracks Down on Major Duplicate Ghee Operation in Palanpur
In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) in Palanpur has successfully busted a large-scale unit manufacturing counterfeit ghee. The operation, conducted in Mahi village of Vadgam taluka, led to the seizure of a massive 1,513 kilograms of duplicate ghee and various adulterants, with a total estimated value of Rs 3.67 lakh.
Details of the Raid and Seizure
The raid was executed at Khushbu Enterprise by a dedicated team of officials, including designated officer T H Patel and food safety officer E S Patel. During a thorough inspection carried out on February 9, it was discovered that the unit's owner, Alamdarali Abbas Ali Sunsara, was engaged in the illegal manufacturing and sale of duplicate ghee. Critically, the unit operated without any valid licence or official approval, as confirmed by the FDCA in an official statement released on Wednesday.
Officials revealed that the facility was producing ghee on an extensive scale using a mixture of harmful substances. These included artificial colouring agents, synthetic essence, soybean oil, palmolein oil, and vanaspati. The enforcement team recovered ghee that was already packed in one-litre containers, along with substantial quantities of loose ghee ready for distribution.
Adulterants and Branding Uncovered
In addition to the fake ghee, a large cache of adulterants was seized from the premises. This inventory comprised refined soybean oil, palmolein oil, vanaspati, vegetable fat, beta carotene colour, and various artificial flavour substances. Investigators further disclosed that the unit was manufacturing both cow and buffalo ghee under the 'Jainam' brand, which was being marketed and sold across multiple states, potentially endangering public health on a wide scale.
Legal Actions and Testing Procedures
To ensure thorough legal proceedings, officials collected eight samples of the seized ghee and adulterants. These samples are slated to be sent to a government-approved food laboratory for comprehensive testing and analysis. The findings from these tests will play a crucial role in building a strong case against the perpetrators and determining the full extent of the adulteration.
This raid underscores the FDCA's ongoing commitment to safeguarding food safety and cracking down on illicit activities in the food industry. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and purchase ghee and other dairy products only from reputable, licensed sources to avoid health risks associated with adulterated goods.
