Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday seized a factory in Agra which was involved in making fake desi ghee from the animal fat. Police raided this factory at night which is located in Khandauli Town and also recovered animal bones and feet along with a large quantity of desi ghee. Four people were arrested during the raid along with the factory owner while two were able to escape.
The arrested accused includes factory owner Chand Babu, and three labors Shafi, Irshad, and Tahir. In the nearby enclosure, the Kachkhana and the Sohill escaped. On the spot, the Food Safety Department team arrived and took the samples of spurious ghee for the investigation.
The total cost of ghee is Rs. 23 per kilogram, which is sold to retail traders at Rs. 60 per kilogram. The same ghee traders sell in Dalda up to 200 per kilogram.
Accused told the police that they boiled the fat of the animals on the stove and then mix the quantity with refined oil. After the adulteration, an essence (fragrance) is used to be mixed, for it to smell exactly like real ghee.
A nominated report has been filed against six including the accused arrested on the writing of security officer Tribhuvan Narayan. A case has been registered against the accused under fraud (section 420), adulteration of food or beverages meant for sale (section 272, 273), and unsafe or contaminated or sub-standard food (section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
This action of Uttar Pradesh police has come soon after their recent raid on a fake spice manufacturing factory in Hathras that was producing counterfeit and specious spices in the name of local brands. This factory was manufacturing spices using donkey dung and acid.
