Gujarat : FDCA Bust Massive Adulterated Ghee Racket 

Surendranagar, Gujarat – In a hard-hitting blow against the illicit trade of food adulteration, the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration has unmasked a shocking racket in Surendranagar district, raiding two factories and seizing a colossal 2,700 kg of suspected adulterated ghee. The haul, valued at over ₹13 lakhs, sends a chilling message to those profiting from compromised food safety.

The dramatic crackdown unfolded on June 3, 2025, when a joint inspection team from the FDCA Surendranagar and the District Supply Officer descended upon Shiv Industries located at Chotila road. The scene immediately raised red flags for authorities. “At first sight, the food item ghee was highly suspected of being adulterated,” stated a source close to the investigation.

Present during the raid was Rajeshbhai Bharatbhai Chavda, identified as the responsible person for Shiv Industries, who presented license number 10721021000213. When pressed, Chavda admitted to having quantities of ‘Shri Bhog brand’ ghee, loose ghee, butter intended for ghee production, and refined palmolein oil on the premises. Acting swiftly under the law, the FDRA team collected four samples, including the suspicious ghee, for immediate laboratory testing. Crucially, the remaining 2,700 kg of suspected adulterated ghee, with an estimated market value exceeding ₹13 lakhs, was seized on the spot, prioritizing the safety of unsuspecting consumers.

“We are committed to ensuring that the citizens of Gujarat receive safe and clean food,” asserted FDCA Commissioner Dr. H. G. Koshiya, emphasizing the FDCA’s unwavering resolve. “The authority is taking strict legal action against those who manufacture adulterated or duplicate food in the state. This raid is a testament to our continuous vigilance.”

The operation didn’t stop there. The FDCA team extended its reach to another firm linked to the same trader, Maheshwari Products and Chemicals, located at Gugliyana. Here, investigators discovered significant quantities of refined palm oil. A sample was promptly collected in the presence of Rajeshbhai Bharatbhai Chavda (License No.: 10721021000040) and dispatched for laboratory analysis, signaling a broader investigation into the firm’s operations.

“The initial assessment strongly suggests adulteration in these food items,” noted an FDCA official, who preferred to remain anonymous given the ongoing nature of the investigation. “Further legal action will be initiated  strictly as per regulations, once the segregation reports from the laboratory confirm our suspicions.”