Major crackdown on adulterated ghee and oil in Pokaran; over 14,000kg seized

JAISALMER: In a major action under the Rajasthan Government’s “Shuddh Aahar Milawat Par Vaar” campaign, authorities raided an illegal adulterated ghee and oil manufacturing unit in Pokaran late Sunday night and seized more than 14,000 kilograms of adulterated ghee and edible oil. The operation is being described as the largest crackdown on the fake ghee and oil trade in Jaisalmer district so far.A special team from the Food Safety Department headquarters in Jaipur conducted a surprise raid at a residential property in Lodha Colony, Pokaran, where adulterated ghee and oil were being manufactured and packaged on a large scale. During the operation, officials collected 13 samples for testing and seized over 14,000 kilograms of suspected adulterated products.The main accused reportedly fled from the spot before the raid. However, two workers found at the premises were detained and questioned. Investigators suspect the operation may be linked to a larger syndicate involved in the adulterated food business, with possible additional warehouses operating in Pokaran and nearby rural areas.Confirming the action, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Jaisalmer, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Paliwal, said the raid was carried out under the directions of Food Safety Commissioner Dr. T. Shubhamangala Rajasthan and under the leadership of Additional Commissioner (Food Safety) Bhagwat Singh, in coordination with the Jaisalmer health department.Acting on specific intelligence, the team raided a premises belonging to Yogesh Tavari, owner of Satvik Trading Company, in Lodha Colony. Officials discovered large-scale manufacturing and packaging activities involving adulterated ghee and edible oils.During the raid, five samples of adulterated ghee and oil were collected under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act). Authorities seized approximately 10,260 kilograms of adulterated ghee, palm oil, soybean oil, and vanaspati from the site.Subsequently, a raid was conducted at the company’s warehouse, where officials collected eight additional samples of adulterated ghee sold under various brands, including Aahar, Shubh, Kuber, Shrimool, Vinayak, and Topper Milk Fat. Around 4,000 kilograms of adulterated ghee were seized from the warehouse.Officials stated that the case appears to involve large-scale food adulteration that poses a serious threat to public health.The operation was carried out by Jaipur-based Food Safety Officers Vinod Sharma, Devendra Singh, Lokesh Sharma, and Jagdish Prasad, along with Jaisalmer Food Safety Officer Kishanaram Kadwasara.According to Kadwasara, all ghee and oil samples have been sent to the Jaipur laboratory for analysis. Further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will be initiated once the laboratory reports are received.Authorities also recovered around 650 tins containing palm oil, soybean oil, and vanaspati ghee. In addition, iron containers, raw chemical materials, and modern sealing machines used for packaging were seized from the premises.The Jaipur headquarters had received information that adulterated ghee and oil were being manufactured and supplied to markets on a large scale from Pokaran. When the special team arrived at the house in Lodha Colony, they found the main gate locked from the outside to avoid suspicion. However, upon entering the premises, officials discovered two workers actively engaged in packaging adulterated ghee and oil.The investigation is ongoing, and officials are exploring possible links to a wider network involved in the production and distribution of adulterated food products across the region.