Next time you buy ghee sachets in the city, make sure you are buying genuine ghee as a private ghee manufacturing firm, which was allegedly counterfeiting other brands and using low-quality vanaspathi for preparing ghee was unearthed by officials.
The illegal practice of the firm at Ajitsinghnagar came to light on Wednesday, when Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and police officers inspected the unit.
“Residents have been complaining about foul smell emanating from the Vamsi Food Products unit at Indranayak Nagar in the locality and use of spurious raw materials for preparation of ghee. Following complaints, the unit was inspected, and malpractices were detected,” Mr. Rao said.
Officials detected labels, empty sachets and tins of nearly 10 brands, including Vijaya ghee and Durga ghee. Though there was no official confirmation of the quantity of the product seized, 10 drums of ghee packed in sachets were found. Interestingly, the firm was booked for similar malpractices a year ago, he added.
Except for a few workers, management representatives were not available for any comment. Commercial Tax department officials also inspected the unit and said that there were irregularities in accounts and stock positions. Local residents alleged that the ghee was not only being sold in the conventional market but was also supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Sub-Collector S. Nagalakshmi said food inspectors would inspect the unit on Thursday and collect samples.
Necessary action will be initiated against the management based on the their report. The premises have been locked by police, she added.
Residents have been complaining about foul smell emanating from Vamsi Food Products unit at Indranayak Nagar and use of spurious materials for preparation of ghee.
Bonda Umamaheswara Rao,
Vijayawada Central MLA
