New Delhi, 23 September 2023: Sterling Agro Industries Ltd. (Nova Dairy Products), one of India’s leading producers of high-quality dairy products, is deeply concerned about the recent findings by the Wholesale Pure Ghee Merchant Association, based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and other associations and merchants from different regions across India, regarding the adulteration of ghee products in the market. In order to safeguard consumer health and interests, Nova Dairy strongly urges the government to take immediate action by carrying out in-depth audits of the ghee produced by various brands.
Recently, the Wholesale Pure Ghee Merchant Association, Indore, tested samples of about 40 to 50 less expensive ghee brands. Surprisingly, a government-approved NABL Lab discovered that all 10 samples submitted for a GIC test were falsified. Given that they are more affordable than well-known brands, these adulterated ghee products are a desirable alternative for customers. Genuine ghee producers’ income is negatively impacted, and the general public is exposed to serious health risks as a result.
Products made with adulterated ghee may contain dangerous ingredients and have lower nutritional value, both of which can be harmful to the health of consumers. Ravin Saluja, the director of Sterling Agro Industries Ltd., states, “It is the government‘s responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of food products available in the market. Consumers have the right to access pure and unadulterated dairy products, including ghee, without compromising their health.”
Nova Dairy urges the government to take action to address this pressing issue, suggesting:
1. Comprehensive Quality Checks: Implement strict and regular quality checks on ghee products produced by all brands, regardless of their size or market presence.
2. Increased Surveillance: Improve the surveillance and monitoring of the ghee market to find and punish those in charge of creating and distributing adulterated goods.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Run public awareness campaigns to inform people about the dangers of consuming tainted ghee and the value of selecting high-quality goods.
4. Regulation Enforcement: Make sure that all ghee producers abide by the laws and standards that are currently in place regarding food safety and quality.
5. Industry Collaboration: Work with industry participants to develop and put into action efficient countermeasures to ghee adulteration.
Nova Dairy remains committed to providing consumers with pure and high-quality dairy products. The business contends that by addressing the problem of adulterated ghee, the government can safeguard consumer health, assist real dairy farmers, and uphold the credibility of the food sector.
Nova Dairy urges the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and other government bodies to take prompt action to address this pressing issue and guarantee the safety and well-being of consumers across the nation. They also ask that fat-profiling tests be made mandatory for dairy production in order to ensure that the quality of dairy products does not deteriorate.
