Bengaluru Couple Arrested for Fake Nandini Ghee Racket
A major food adulteration racket was uncovered in Bengaluru after police arrested a couple allegedly running a large-scale fake Nandini ghee manufacturing and distribution operation. The crackdown follows growing complaints from consumers regarding unusual texture and smell in ghee sold under the Nandini brand.
According to police officials, the couple had been secretly operating from a rented premises where they mixed low-quality oils, artificial flavors, and chemicals to create counterfeit ghee. The products were then packed in containers resembling original Nandini packaging and supplied to small retail outlets and markets.
How the Racket Operated
Investigators revealed that the duo sourced empty ghee containers, labels, and packaging materials from local vendors. They reportedly printed duplicate stickers and batch codes identical to original Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Nandini packaging.
The fake product was produced in bulk using inexpensive ingredients, offering a high profit margin. Initial estimates suggest that the racket may have been active for several months, possibly circulating thousands of litres of adulterated ghee into the market.
Police Investigation and Seizure
During the raid, authorities seized:
Large drums of mixed oils
Chemical flavoring agents
Duplicate packaging materials
Fake Nandini ghee containers
Equipment used for sealing and labeling
Samples have been sent to a forensic food laboratory for quality testing. Early results indicate severe adulteration, posing potential health risks.
Impact on Consumers and Market
The case has raised serious concerns about food safety in Karnataka. Nandini, a trusted dairy brand, enjoys high consumer confidence, and the circulation of counterfeit products has triggered a demand for stricter supply-chain monitoring.
Local traders also expressed concern, stating that counterfeit ghee damages brand reputation and misleads buyers, particularly during festival and wedding seasons when demand is high.
Authorities Respond
KMF has urged customers to purchase products only from verified outlets and check batch codes, printed dates, and packaging quality before use. Police have initiated further inquiry to identify distributors involved and verify whether more individuals are linked to the racket.
(FAQ)
1. What was seized from the fake Nandini ghee unit?
Police seized fake ghee containers, duplicate packaging materials, mixed oils, flavoring chemicals, and sealing equipment.
2. How was the fake ghee produced?
The accused reportedly mixed low-grade oils and artificial flavors to mimic the aroma and texture of real ghee.
3. Why is this case trending?
Nandini is a highly trusted brand in Karnataka, and food safety violations quickly gain public attention, making the topic trend on Google.
4. What should consumers check before buying ghee?
Customers should verify packaging quality, batch codes, manufacturing dates, and ensure products are purchased from reliable stores.
5. Are more arrests expected?
Police have suggested that more individuals may be involved and further arrests are possible as the investigation progresses.
source credit : Reethu Rajpurohit
Published on : 26TH November
Published by : SARANYA
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