36 Tonnes of Adulterated Ghee Seized in Hyderabad Raids

A large-scale crackdown on the adulterated ghee trade in Hyderabad has uncovered an extensive network allegedly involved in manufacturing and selling synthetic ghee using cheap substitutes and unauthorised chemicals. Police and food safety officials conducted simultaneous inspections at 130 locations across the city and seized nearly 36 tonnes of adulterated ghee and related materials.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said the operation was conducted jointly by the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) and the Food Safety Department based on credible public information and specific intelligence. The inspections covered 39 ghee manufacturing units and 91 sales outlets, where officials found evidence of synthetic ghee production using substandard ingredients and unauthorised chemicals.

During the raids, authorities seized adulterated ghee along with cream, palm oil, vanaspati, starch, artificial ghee flavours and chemical additives. Officials said manufacturers were allegedly mixing these cheaper ingredients to replicate the taste, aroma and appearance of genuine ghee. In some products, investigators found no dairy ingredients at all.

Food safety teams collected samples of the seized ghee and raw materials at the locations and sent them for detailed laboratory analysis. The test results are expected to establish the exact composition and level of adulteration in the products.

DCP (Task Force) Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath said the synthetic ghee was being packed in transparent covers and marketed under labels designed to give consumers an impression of quality. Products were allegedly sold as “100% Pure Ghee”, “Premium Ghee”, “Farm Fresh Ghee” and “Natural Ghee”.

Officials also found that several packets lacked mandatory details, including FSSAI licence information, batch or lot numbers, manufacturing and packing dates, expiry dates and Certificates of Analysis. Police said the adulterated products were supplied to different markets depending on the level of adulteration.

Products containing around 10% to 40% adulterants were allegedly supplied to puja outlets, hotels, tiffin centres, sweet-making units and Ayurvedic stores. Investigators said the manufacturing network sourced milk cream from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

By substituting expensive ingredients with cheaper materials, the manufacturers allegedly reduced production costs and sold the products as genuine ghee at higher prices, earning substantial illegal profits. Police said the adulterated ghee was supplied across Telangana and neighbouring states, widening concerns over its public health impact.

Authorities urged consumers to buy ghee only from reputed and authorised sellers and verify FSSAI licence details, batch numbers and manufacturing and expiry dates before purchase. Suspected food adulteration can be reported through 112 or the H-FAST helpline at 8712661212. Police said further action and case registration are under way.