Two out of 40 ghee samples found unsafe in Karnataka, notices issued to firms

BENGALURU: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had found adulteration in ghee, which is sold in Karnataka, even before the controversy over the Tirupati temple laddus surfaced.

Following the finding, the FSSAI, in August, tested ghee samples from 40 places across the state and found that some companies were adulterating ghee from two places. The authorities found that ghee from Bengaluru and Bagalkot were unsafe. The agency has issued notices to the two ghee-making units asking them to prove that their ghee is safe within 30 days.

The tests were conducted at a Mysuru laboratory to confirm the findings. The controversy over the use of adulterated ghee in the Tirupati laddu has sparked a nationwide debate. There are allegations of poor quality ghee and animal fat being used. Following this, the health minister had suggested conducting tests on all ghee samples except Nandini ghee.

How will the ghee test be conducted?

A chemical will add to ghee

The chemical-mixed ghee will be kept in the laboratory for 7 days.

The colour of the ghee changes to three different shades — red, yellow, and white.

If it changes colour, it’s deemed unsafe.

If the fat content exceeds 90 pc , it is considered unsafe.

Ghee from two places has exceeded 90 pc fat content.