In a major blow to the “adulteration mafia” ahead of the peak festival season, authorities in Kaithal have dismantled a sophisticated facility dedicated to producing poisonous look-alikes of Desi Ghee.
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The Operation: Acting on a tip-off about a “foul chemical smell” emanating from a building in a local colony, the CM Flying Squad set up a surveillance team. The raid was executed this morning, catching the workers mid-process.
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The “Fake” Recipe: Inside the factory, officials found large vats of boiling palm oil. “They were adding chemical fragrances (essences) that mimic the aroma of pure buffalo ghee and using yellow food coloring to achieve the desired look,” said an investigating officer. The final product was then cooled to create the grainy texture characteristic of authentic Desi Ghee.
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Seizure and Scale:
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Quantity: Approx. 2,000 liters of finished and semi-finished product.
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Machinery: Sealing machines, empty tins of branded ghee, and hundreds of counterfeit labels were confiscated.
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Distribution: The factory was reportedly supplying this spurious ghee to local sweet shops and small retailers at nearly one-third the market price of real ghee.
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Public Health Risk: Health officials warned that consuming ghee made from palm oil and synthetic chemicals poses severe risks, including heart disease and gastric issues. “This is a direct attack on public health for festive profit,” stated a senior Health Department official.
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Legal Action: The owner of the facility has been booked under the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant sections of the BNS for fraud and forgery. The factory has been placed under government seal.
Administrative Warning: The Kaithal district administration has urged citizens to be wary of “unbranded” or “heavily discounted” ghee sold in loose containers. With Diwali approaching, the CM Flying Squad has announced that similar surprise checks will be conducted at dairies and sweet manufacturing units across the district to ensure food purity.
