Fake Ghee Scandal: Investigation Exposes Toxic Adulteration in Trusted Brands - Read Now

Fake Ghee Scandal: In recent times, adulterated ghee was the buzzword in India in the wake of shocking statements about wholesale adulteration in the markets. A study has found light in such a disturbing trend but in particular focuses on Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, considered the major center for production. The furore arose when some temple laddoos meant for offerings were allegedly made of impure ghee, drawing widespread discussion among Indians.

The Demand for Ghee and Soaring Anxiety
As Diwali and other festivals are nearing, the demand for desi ghee increases. Ghee is a staple in most Indian kitchens for cooking and religious offerings. But with this increased demand comes an opportunity for unscrupulous suppliers to cut corners and capitalize on consumer trust. But how much of the ghee sold in the market is actually pure?

To find an answer to this, investigators went undercover masquerading as Delhi shopkeepers looking to purchase in bulk for the festival season. What they found was a network of suppliers who engage in ghee adulteration by packaging low-quality products in branded containers.

Hathras Ghee Business
Hathras is particularly famous for its ghee production. During the investigation, the team met Vishnu Varshney, a local supplier who claimed to sell ghee for popular brands. He assured the undercover reporter that he could package ghee in duplicate cartons from well-known brands such as Amul.

Vishnu was selling the product at an astoundingly low price of only ₹240 per kg whereas real branded desi ghee sold between ₹600 to ₹700 per kg. While trying to get a satisfactory response about the source, I asked him how he arrives at such a low price; surprisingly, he said that the "ghee" he sold contained mixed hydrogenated vegetable oil along with refined oil and artificial fragrance blended to mimic the odor of real desi ghee.

The Ghee or Just Oil Conundrum
Vishnu explained, "You get the Amul tin," but clarified that it contained no pure ghee. This alarming revelation led one to question consumer safety as well as legality. Many customers, according to Vishnu, do not know the difference, and low prices make the spurious product all the more attractive.

The scale of the ghee adulteration business is mind-boggling. The Indian ghee industry was valued at ₹3.2 lakh crore in 2023 and is expected to grow to ₹6.9 lakh crore by 2032. These unscrupulous suppliers like Vishnu exploit this lucrative market by selling adulterated ghee to make profits that are difficult to resist.

The 'Puja Wala' Ghee Scam
The investigation brought out even more shocking practices in Hathras. The team met Mehul Khandelwal, another manufacturer, who was manufacturing "puja wala ghee," especially for religious ceremonies. Khandelwal confessed that his product was essentially just refined oil mixed with dalda and was not real ghee.

Khandelwal's business exploits consumers' religious sentiments, packing his products in cartons with brand names that are similar to the names of reputed ghee brands. He evades legal problems by terming his products as "puja samagri," which makes it easy to avoid accountability while still milking consumer trust.

Playing with Faith and Health
Both Vishnu and Khandelwal operations reveal the mass adulteration of ghee in India. They fleece the consumer not only by selling spurious products but also compromise public health by using cheap oils, which can be dangerous in the long run if people unknowingly use them to cook, thinking them to be pure desi ghee.

Amul Reacts to Hathras Ghee Racket
Amul was contacted for comment after the investigation. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul, said that the packaging featured in the investigation was outdated and that Amul has switched to tamper-proof cartons to prevent such adulteration. He assured consumers that the company would cooperate with authorities to take legal action against those involved in this ghee racket.

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