Patanjali Faces Action in Uttarakhand After Cow Ghee Fails Quality Tests; Company Preparing to Appeal
Patanjali Faces Action in Uttarakhand After Cow Ghee Fails Quality Tests; Company Preparing to Appeal
Patanjali’s widely consumed cow ghee has once again drawn public attention—this time after a routine inspection in Uttarakhand uncovered serious quality lapses that eventually led to monetary penalties against the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer. What began as a simple sample collection in 2020 has now culminated in a court ruling and an ongoing debate over the accountability of major FMCG brands in India’s food safety landscape.
The issue dates back to October 20, 2020, when Senior Food Safety Officer Dilip Jain purchased a sample of Patanjali cow ghee from Karan General Store in Kashni, Pithoragarh, during a regular inspection drive. According to official records, the sample was linked to Brahma/Brahm Accessories (or Agencies) on Dharchula Road—the distributor—along with the manufacturer, Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Ahmadnagar.
Initial testing at the Government Laboratory in Rudrapur revealed that the ghee did not comply with mandated standards and showed signs of adulteration. After being notified of these findings in 2021, Patanjali disputed the results and sought a second evaluation. The company submitted Rs 5,000 for re-testing, following which the sample was forwarded to the National Food Testing Laboratory in Ghaziabad. The central lab’s November 2021 report also confirmed that the product was substandard, reinforcing the earlier assessment.
Armed with results from both the state and national labs, authorities proceeded to file a case in February 2022 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Hearings were held before the court of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Yogendra Singh in Pithoragarh. After reviewing arguments and evidence from all parties, the court issued its decision on Thursday, November 27.
The ruling imposed a total penalty of over Rs 1.40 lakh, broken down as follows:
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. – Rs 1,00,000
Brahma/Brahm Accessories (Distributor) – Rs 25,000
Karan General Store (Retailer) – Rs 15,000
The case has stirred discussions across the state and beyond, with many pointing to the importance of stricter monitoring—regardless of a brand’s reputation or market presence.
Food Safety Officer Dilip Jain underscored the court’s message, remarking that the purity and reliability of food items cannot be compromised and that the verdict reinforces the expectation that every company, big or small, must meet the standards set to protect consumers—a sentiment that reflects the seriousness of the issue without repeating the original phrasing.
Meanwhile, Patanjali has strongly objected to the order, calling the ruling “flawed and unlawful” in their own words and confirming that the company is now preparing to challenge the decision before the food safety tribunal.
