Ahmedabad: The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC)’s Food Department today seized 4,850 kg of suspected duplicate cow ghee worth Rs 31.81 lakh during a probe at three locations across the city. Samples of the seized ghee, being marketed as Rhydham Cow Ghee and Vachnamrut Cow Ghee brands, have been sent for laboratory testing, and legal action will be initiated based on the test results.

The action was carried out on June 8 by a team comprising the Designated Officer and two Food Safety Officers in the Indrapuri ward area of AMC’s South Zone. During the operation, officials inspected premises at Laxmanbhai Industrial Estate behind Purvadeep Society in CTM, where Arvindbhai Trikamchand Nagar was allegedly operating as a super stockist of the two ghee brands.

Officials seized around 3,250 kg of suspected cow ghee from the premises, valued at Rs 21.31 lakh. Samples were collected under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while the entire stock was suspended from sale and the unit was sealed.

Preliminary investigation revealed that both brands are reportedly manufactured by Sarthak Food Products, located on Ode-Pirana Road near Paldi-Kakanj village in Daskroi taluka. AMC has forwarded details of the case to the concerned state government authorities for further investigation.

During the probe, officials also identified two additional distributors of the same products, Virkrupa Trading in Vatva and Trishala Agency in Dudheshwar. Separate teams were dispatched to inspect both locations, resulting in the suspension of sale of nearly 1,600 kg of suspected ghee worth Rs 10.49 lakh.

In total, AMC’s Food Department stopped the sale of 4,850 kg of suspected cow ghee valued at Rs 31.81 lakh during the coordinated operation. Authorities said further legal action against the traders and other responsible persons will be taken after laboratory reports confirm the quality and authenticity of the products. DeshGujarat