The fraudulent operation was highly organized, utilizing a sophisticated dual-firm strategy to evade detection and circulate the counterfeit product widely. Officials revealed that the owner was employing one entity solely to buy ghee from different states and another entity to re-brand and package the adulterated product as a premium offering. This two-pronged approach allowed the accused to mask the origin and composition of the product, effectively circulating the vegetable fat-mixed ghee under multiple deceptive labels for a significant period.

Food safety officials confirmed that the seized product was manufactured using palm oil and other low-grade substances, yet was falsely labeled and marketed to consumers as pure cow ghee. During the initial inspection, both the adulterated product and the necessary manufacturing equipment, raw materials, and packaging machines were confiscated. Samples from the raided unit have been immediately dispatched to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Bhopal for formal confirmation of adulteration, with authorities confirming that strict legal action will follow the laboratory results.

This high-profile bust is part of a broader, intensified anti-adulteration campaign spearheaded by local authorities to ensure safe and hygienic food products reach the market, especially ahead of the festive season. Earlier this month, the department had already seized over 3,000 kilograms of adulterated mawa and ghee—valued between Rs 8 and Rs 10 lakh—from two buses transporting the illegal consignment from Gwalior and Ahmedabad. Furthermore, separate raids successfully confiscated over 2,750 kilograms of unlicensed sweets, underscoring the scale of the ongoing market vigilance.