Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Dec 17: A fake unit engaged in the production of fake Nandini ghee, a popular brand of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), was unearthed from a godown located in Hosahundi Thota at the foot of the Chamundi HIll on Thursday December 16. This find has taken the people aback as this brand of ghee has been widely in use.

On the basis of the information received from the locals about this spurious ghee making centre, members of Human Rights Protection Centre and Prevention of Corruption Seva Samiti raided the godown. Mysuru district Milk Union managing director B N Vijayakuar, led a team to the spot after being informed about the find. The food safety and quality department officials who visited the spot checked and realized that fake ghee was being made.

One and half tonnes of contaminated ghee, 500 kg hydrogenated vegetable oil, and 500 litres of palm oil were confiscated from the spot. The people were adding vegetable oil and palm oil to the ghee and packing the same in the fake Nandini pure ghee labels and selling the same. Dalda was found being added to the ghee to ensure that the colour of the product matched with ghee. Packing machines, fake Nandini ghee labels and packets were found there. These items were seized and samples were sent to the laboratory. During the raid, several employees including women working inside escaped.

The said farm, owned by Krishna from Hosahundi, was taken on lease four months back in the name of Murugesh from Srirampura. President of Human Rights Protection Centre, Vinod, said that fake ghee was being manufactured here for the last three months.