Ahmedabad: 4,850 kg of suspected duplicate cow ghee seized, worth ₹31.81 lakh
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) suspended the sale of approximately 4,850 kilograms of suspected cow ghee worth over ₹31.81 lakh following coordinated inspections at three locations across the city on Monday, 9 June. Laboratory tests are now underway to determine whether the products meet food safety standards, officials confirmed.
How the Operation Unfolded
The action was carried out by a team comprising the designated officer and two food safety officers from AMC's South Zone in the Indrapuri ward area. Officials targeted products being sold under two brand names: 'Rhythm Cow Ghee' and 'Vachanamrut Cow Ghee'.
During an inspection at a premises in Laxmanbhai Industrial Estate, behind Purvadeep Society in the CTM area, officials found that Arvind Trikamchand Nagar was operating as a super stockist for both brands. Approximately 3,250 kilograms of suspected cow ghee, valued at ₹21.31 lakh, was recovered from the site. Samples were collected under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and dispatched for laboratory analysis. The entire stock was suspended from sale and the unit sealed pending further investigation.
Manufacturer Identified, Two More Distributors Found
Preliminary inquiries by AMC indicated that both brands are manufactured by Sarthak Food Products at Plot No. 53, Ode-Pirana Road, in Paldi-Kankaj village of Daskroi taluka. Details of the case have been forwarded to the relevant state government authorities for further investigation and action.
As the inquiry progressed, AMC officials identified two additional distributors of the same products operating in Ahmedabad. Separate teams were dispatched to inspect Veerkrupa Trading in Vatva and Trishala Agency in Dudheshwar. At these two locations, officials suspended the sale of an additional approximately 1,600 kilograms of suspected ghee stock, valued at ₹10.49 lakh.
Scale of the Seizure
Across all three locations, the total stock suspended from sale stands at around 4,850 kilograms of suspected cow ghee, with a combined estimated value of ₹31.81 lakh. This is notably one of the larger single-operation food adulteration seizures recorded in Ahmedabad in recent months, reflecting the AMC's stepped-up enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
What Happens Next
The collected samples have been sent to a food testing laboratory, and the outcome of those tests will determine whether formal prosecutions are initiated against the brands, their manufacturer, and distributors. The state government has been looped in, suggesting the probe could expand beyond municipal jurisdiction. Consumers who have purchased either brand are advised to exercise caution until test results are made public.