Food Safety Officials Bust Adulterated Ghee Production Unit in Rajasthan
In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Rajasthan health department conducted a raid on Saturday, busting a unit allegedly producing adulterated ghee in Nokha town of Bikaner district. During the operation, officials seized a substantial stock of 765 kilograms of the suspected adulterated product.
Details of the Raid and Inspection
Food Safety Commissioner T Shubhmangala reported that a team led by Additional Commissioner Bhagwat Singh carried out the inspection at Messrs Shri Maruti Food Product, located in the RIICO Industrial Area of Nokha. The raid was part of ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards across the state.
During the investigation, the owner of the unit, Mukesh Pareek, disclosed to officials that the ghee was manufactured by heating cream sourced from Gujarat. This product was being sold under the brand name Today Choice at a price range of Rs 410 to Rs 420 per litre.
Suspicion of Adulteration Due to Low Pricing
Officials noted that the selling price of the ghee was significantly lower than the prevailing market rate, which is approximately Rs 525 per litre. This substantial price discrepancy raised immediate suspicions of possible adulteration, prompting further scrutiny under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act.
As part of the regulatory process, one sample of the ghee was collected for detailed laboratory testing to determine its purity and compliance with food safety norms. The results of these tests will be crucial in confirming the allegations and guiding subsequent legal actions.
Additional Food Safety Actions in Bikaner
In separate but related enforcement actions within Bikaner, food safety teams also collected samples from other food production units to ensure broader compliance with health standards.
- Samples of namkeen and kesar bati were taken from Messrs Yuvraj Food Product located in Phad Bazaar.
- Additionally, one sample of refined groundnut oil was collected from NUCHEM Food in the Khara Industrial Area of Bikaner.
These actions underscore the health department's commitment to rigorous monitoring and inspection of food products across the region, aiming to protect consumers from adulterated and substandard items.
The ongoing investigations highlight the critical importance of maintaining food safety standards to safeguard public health, with officials urging consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to authorities.
