Indore, India: Food Safety Officers busted a fake ghee manufacturing unit in Palda industrial area of Indore and seized over 3,400 kilograms of adulterated ghee. The ghee was prepared using palm oil and other low-grade vegetable fats, which were falsely sold as pure cow ghee under brand names like Mother Choice and Milk Cream.
The operation took place at Shree Ram Milk Food Dairy based on a specific tip-off. Authorities at the location seized 1,300 kg of ghee in loose form and 1,700 kg of ghee in packed form, all of which was reported to be re-branded and sold at the premium level. The entire amount was valued at approximately ₹18 lakh.
The enforcement started based on specific information received by senior administrative officials, who then advised the team to investigate. The food inspection officers carried out the operation on Wednesday(29/10/2025) and collected numerous samples for testing.
How the Fake Ghee Business Worked
Authorities reported that the accused ran two different companies to conceal the illegal activity. The first entity purchased ghee from various states, and the second re-packaged it to sell it as pure cow ghee. As a result, the defendant was able to distribute ghee containing vegetable fat under multiple brand names while not being identified for several months.
Palm Oil Used Instead of Pure Ghee
Food safety officers confirmed that the seized ghee was produced from palm oil and other inexpensive additives, yet falsely represented and sold to citizens as pure cow ghee. During the raid, executives also seized manufacturing machines, packing units, and raw materials.
Samples have been sent to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Bhopal for confirmation. Authorities have said that strict action will follow once the test reports confirm adulteration.
Part of a Larger Crackdown in Indore
This operation is part of an anti-adulteration operation to ensure there are safe and hygienic dairy products available to consumers during the festive season. Last month, food safety officers seized over 3,000 kilograms of adulterated mawa and ghee from two buses from Gwalior and Ahmedabad. A food safety officer, Avashesh Agrawal, conducted a raid at Piplihana Square, where officials discovered 16 sacks of mawa, a ton of ghee, and hundreds of kilograms of sweet mawa supplied for local sweet shop distribution. The total amount seized is valued at approximately ₹8-₹10 lakh, which was sent to Bhopal for analysis.
Authorities also raided Ahuja Milk Products located in Prem Nagar and seized 2,754 kg of illegal sweets, including Rajwadi Sweets and Krishna Halwa, worth ₹6.9 lakh, which had neither licenses nor indications of the types of sweets required by standards for FSSAI license labeling. Meanwhile, in another operation, they seized 600 kg of unlabeled sweets from an auto-rickshaw near the Sarvate bus stand when the driver could not provide documents for possession of the sweets.
Continuous Vigilance Ordered by Indore Collector
Collector Shivam Verma ordered food safety officers to conduct surprise inspections of sweet factories, dairy units, and transport vehicles each day. He warned that any person found guilty of adulteration, misbranding, or the sale of unsafe products will face legal action under FSSAI laws.
Officials emphasized that these raids are necessary to safeguard public health, safeguard consumer trust in dairy products, and stop the sale of fake or adulterated products.
Source- Complete report on the food safety crackdown at Bhaskarenglish.
