The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has uncovered an alleged inter-state counterfeit ghee network, seizing more than 6,500 litres of suspected adulterated ghee and related raw materials during coordinated enforcement operations in Delhi and Haryana.
The action was carried out by Central Food Safety Officers under the supervision of Devesh Kumar Mahla, IPS, Director, Northern Regional Office, FSSAI, in coordination with local police authorities.
According to FSSAI, the investigation began after officials came across digital and print advertisements promoting premium cow ghee and regular ghee without mandatory FSSAI licence details and proper labelling information. Acting on this, officials conducted a decoy operation by posing as consumers and purchasing samples of the products.
The samples were sent to an FSSAI-recognised NABL-accredited laboratory for analysis. The laboratory findings revealed that the products failed to meet the prescribed standards for ghee under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. The samples were found to contain vegetable oils and other non-dairy constituents.
Following the laboratory report, FSSAI traced the alleged manufacturing, storage and distribution chain and conducted raids at multiple locations on June 17.
In Delhi, officials raided a facility at Village Dhulsiras, Dwarka, linked to Parit Ram. During the operation, around 1,020 litres of unidentified oil suspected to be used in the manufacture of counterfeit ghee and nearly 1,500 litres of suspected adulterated ghee were recovered. The seized stock has been placed under regulatory custody.
In Haryana, a separate operation was carried out at M/s. Bala Ji Food Products in Sonipat, where officials seized more than 4,000 litres of suspected adulterated ghee packed for market distribution.
Speaking about the operation, Mahla said that around 6,500 litres of adulterated ghee had been seized. As per the lab report, the product was allegedly manufactured using vegetable and animal fat. He said the case was the result of an organised decoy operation, surveillance and enforcement action by FSSAI.
FSSAI has filed a formal complaint with local police authorities, and an FIR has been registered against those allegedly involved. Statutory enforcement samples have also been collected for further examination, while the seized materials remain under regulatory custody.
The regulator said further investigation is underway to identify other entities linked to the network. FSSAI also reiterated its zero-tolerance approach towards food adulteration, misbranding and counterfeit food products.
The authority has advised consumers to remain cautious while purchasing ghee and other food products. Consumers have been urged to check the FSSAI licence or registration number, manufacturer details, labelling information and packaging quality before purchase. FSSAI also warned consumers to be careful of unusually low-priced products, as they may indicate possible counterfeit or adulterated goods.