Srinagar: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has prohibited the sale, storage, distribution and display of 10 batches of ghee across the Union Territory after laboratory tests found them to be sub-standard, unsafe and misbranded.
The action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, following analysis of samples by the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, and the Food Testing Laboratory, Kashmir, the FDA said.
The affected products are Dairy Mohan Desi Ghee (Batch No. 05), Apna Dairy Milk Desi Ghee (Batch No. DM-06), Milk Bite Cow Ghee (Batch No. 137), Nandni Desi Ghee (Batch No. ND-28), Shahi Taj Desi Ghee (Batch No. 134), Daawat Fresh (Batch No. VT09), Nand Krishna Cow Ghee (Batch No. PC-05-26), Vandu Cow Ghee (Batch No. D143), Dairy Milk Desi Ghee (Batch No. OM12) and Mohan Dairy Ghee (Batch No. 06).
According to the FDA, samples of the affected batches were collected from various locations, including Anantnag, Shangus, Larnoo, Bijbehara, Tral, Pampore, Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
Laboratory analysis reportedly detected the presence of beta-sitosterol, indicating foreign vegetable fat, besides positive Baudouin test results, abnormal fatty-acid profiles and deviations from prescribed physicochemical standards.
The FDA has directed wholesalers, distributors, retailers and other food business operators to immediately stop the sale and distribution of the affected batches and ensure that they are withdrawn from circulation.
The agency has also asked the concerned food business operators to submit details of available stock to the designated officers within 48 hours. Enforcement teams have been instructed to monitor the market and prevent further circulation of the prohibited products.
The FDA reiterated that, under food safety regulations, ghee must be derived exclusively from milk or milk products and cannot contain substances not originating from milk fat.
The prohibition has come into force with immediate effect across Jammu and Kashmir. Consumers have been advised to check the brand name, batch number and packing details before purchasing ghee and report the availability of any of the prohibited batches to food safety authorities.
The FDA said the action was a precautionary measure taken in the interest of public health and consumer safety. It added that the concerned food business operators retain the right to seek re-analysis of the samples through an FSSAI-notified referral laboratory in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
