The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has uncovered an alleged adulterated ghee manufacturing unit operating from a residential property in Nikol, seizing around 400 kg of suspected fake product along with packing materials and equipment, officials said on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, AMC’s Health Department raided a first-floor unit at Royal Bungalows in the Chitrakoot Housing Scheme. The premises were allegedly being used by Ramgopal Rana Ramji Kumpawat to manufacture and package ghee without the required permissions.
During the inspection, officials found the operation was running without a valid licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Initial findings indicated that the product, sold as cow ghee under the brand name ‘Mangalmurti’, was being adulterated with vegetable fat and palm oil.“The unit was producing and packaging duplicate ghee in unhygienic conditions and selling it with misleading labels,” an AMC official said.The probe also pointed to a link with another facility, Muralidhar Food Products, located at Ved Industrial Park-II in Kathwada, which was listed as the manufacturing unit on the packaging. Officials noted that the FSSAI licence for this unit had expired.
Authorities seized about 400 kg of packed ghee in 500-gram and 100 ml containers, valued at ₹1.6 lakh. Additionally, around 500 kg of empty jars, labels, and raw materials used for packaging were confiscated. Equipment such as gas stoves, utensils, pans, and storage containers used in production was also taken into custody.Samples of the seized products have been sent to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis to determine the level of adulteration and compliance with food safety standards.
AMC officials said strict action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, against those found guilty. They added that anyone involved in manufacturing or selling adulterated food products will face stringent legal consequences.
Further investigation is underway to trace the distribution network and identify others involved in the operation.