Surat: The Food and Drug Regulatory Authority (FDRA) has seized 25 tons of adulterated ghee and raw materials worth ₹69 lakh during a raid in Olpad, Surat.

The seized stock includes 7.4 tons of adulterated ghee and approximately 17.5 tons of adulterants, such as vegetable fat, fatty acid mono- and diglycerides, and ghee essence. Five samples were collected for further analysis.

The raid uncovered a scam involving the production of adulterated and counterfeit ghee by M/s Veer Milk Products and M/s Shri R.K. Enterprise. Adulterated ghee marketed under the brand name “Shubh Brand Cow Ghee” was seized.

Authorities seized three samples, 5,000 kg of cow ghee, 2,400 kg of “Shubh Brand Cow Ghee,” and 140 kg of ghee essence from M/s Veer Milk Products. Meanwhile, 2 samples, 10,200 kg of vegetable fat, and 7,000 kg of fatty acid mono- and diglycerides were seized from M/s Shri R.K. Enterprise.

Both enterprises are linked, with their owners, Rakesh Ishwarbhai Bhartiya and Bhupesh Ishwarbhai Bhartiya, being brothers, as acknowledged by Bhupesh.

Additionally, it was found that counterfeit ghee was being manufactured using vegetable fat, imported fatty acid mono- and diglycerides from Malaysia, and ghee essence. These chemicals were reportedly used in a way to evade detection during laboratory testing for adulteration.

FDRA Commissioner Dr. H.G. Koshia assured the public of stringent action against those compromising food safety. The joint operation by the FDRA and the State Monitoring Cell has successfully curtailed the sale of counterfeit ghee, with further legal proceedings underway. DeshGujarat

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