In a strong move against food adulteration, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed Shivshambhu Dairy Products on Naroda Road after confiscating 1,300 kilograms of allegedly adulterated cream. The seized stock, worth an estimated ₹3.90 lakh, is believed to have been contaminated with palm oil and vegetable ghee—raising significant concerns over dairy product integrity and consumer safety.
Crackdown on Synthetic Ghee Manufacturing
According to AMC officials, the cream was intended for the production of synthetic ghee—a cheaper, lower-quality alternative created by blending milk powder, palm oil, and vanaspati. The unit, which had only recently started operations, was allegedly using these adulterants to boost yield and profit margins at the cost of public health.
Dr. Bhavin Joshi, AMC’s Additional Health Officer, said:
“In Naroda, over 1,000 kilograms of questionable cream were found in a new dairy facility. Initial findings suggest the presence of milk powder, palm oil, and other non-dairy fats—posing serious health risks. Samples have been collected and sent for detailed analysis.”
Wider Surveillance Yields More Seizures
This action was part of a broader campaign by AMC between March 23 and 29, during which 454 food manufacturing units across Ahmedabad were inspected. The inspection spree led to multiple discoveries:
- 144 kg of substandard paneer confiscated from Satnam Dairy Products in Nikol village
- 119 kg of suspect paneer seized from a storage facility in Vastral
- 386 kg of inedible solid food and 372 kg of contaminated liquid food destroyed
- 209 food samples collected for lab testing
- 145 Total Plate Count (TPC) hygiene tests conducted
- 184 food businesses served notices for unhygienic conditions
- 8 units sealed due to unsanitary environments or missing licenses
Alarming Trends in Food Adulteration Cases
Since 2011, the AMC has filed a total of 2,240 food adulteration cases. Of these, only 242 have reached resolution, resulting in fines totalling ₹77.62 lakh. The rest remain pending—an alarming backlog for public health advocates. So far in 2025, 44 new cases have been registered, with none resolved yet.
In 2024, 71 cases were filed with no resolutions. Only one out of 65 cases in 2023 was closed, resulting in a ₹1.5 lakh fine. Currently, 1,998 cases are still under litigation or awaiting judgement.
Implications for the Dairy Sector
This incident not only exposes the unethical practices of certain dairy processors but also underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement and rapid adjudication in food safety cases. The rising number of unresolved cases also reflects the need for administrative reform in how such violations are prosecuted.
Expert Commentary
Rajesh Mehta, a dairy consultant based in Gujarat, noted:
“These cases reveal how widespread adulteration practices are becoming. The use of vegetable fats and synthetic additives in ghee or paneer not only cheats the consumer but also tarnishes the image of India’s dairy sector globally. This crackdown is a welcome step, but it must be supported by faster legal processes and awareness drives at the grassroots level.”