Patanjali Ayurved, the consumer goods giant co-founded by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, has been hit with a significant fine after a sample of its flagship Cow Ghee failed mandatory quality tests at both the state and central government laboratories in India.
The verdict, delivered by the court of the Adjudicating Officer/Additional District Magistrate in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, imposed a total penalty of Rs. 1.40 lakh on the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer.
The case timeline began in October 2020, when a Food Safety Officer collected a sample of Patanjali Cow Ghee from a local retailer, Karan General Store, in Pithoragarh.
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State Lab Test: The sample was initially sent to the State Food and Drug Testing Laboratory in Rudrapur, which reported the ghee to be substandard and not compliant with prescribed food safety parameters.
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National Lab Re-test: Patanjali subsequently challenged the finding and requested a re-test at a central facility.6 The sample was then sent to the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The central lab report, submitted in November 2021, also confirmed that the Cow Ghee failed the food safety test.
Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, R.K. Sharma, noted that the test results were concerning and suggested that consuming the sub-standard ghee could potentially lead to illness.9
Fines and Immediate Rebuttal
The court, after reviewing the evidence and laboratory reports, delivered its verdict on Thursday, imposing the following fines:
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Rs. 1,00,000 fine on Patanjali Ayurved Limited (Manufacturer).
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Rs. 25,000 fine on Brahma Agency (Distributor).
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Rs. 15,000 fine on Karan General Store (Retailer).
The court strictly cautioned all parties involved to adhere rigorously to the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
In immediate response to the order, Patanjali Ayurved issued a sharp rebuttal, calling the court’s order “defective and illegal.” The company stated that it would file an appeal against the decision in the Food Safety Tribunal.14 Patanjali argued that the referral laboratory used for testing was not NABL accredited for cow ghee testing and also claimed that re-examination was conducted after the ghee’s expiry date, making the test results invalid in the eyes of the law.
Patanjali Fined for Quality Violation
Based on the lab reports, authorities imposed a penalty on the company under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Although the fine amount varies by state, the common conclusion was that Patanjali failed to maintain quality consistency in one of its flagship dairy products.
This has raised serious questions because cow ghee is often marketed as:
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Pure
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Traditionally processed
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Rich in nutrients
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Free from adulteration
When a brand promising purity fails such tests, it naturally creates distrust among consumers.
A Major Blow to Patanjali’s Image
In recent months, Patanjali has faced criticism over:
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Misleading health claims
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False advertisements
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Quality concerns related to medicines and food products
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Court warnings over unscientific statements
This ghee test failure comes at a time when the company is already under public and judicial scrutiny.
While Patanjali has claimed that it maintains strict quality standards, the latest test results paint a different picture.
Why Ghee Failing Tests Is a Serious Issue
Ghee is one of the most widely consumed products in Indian households, and purity is crucial. Adulterated or substandard ghee can:
1. Affect health
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Low-quality fats can harm heart health
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Adulterants can cause digestion-related problems
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Long-term consumption may lead to chronic illnesses
2. Mislead consumers
People buy premium “pure cow ghee” expecting authenticity. A failure at both state and national levels shows a serious gap.
3. Damage trust in Indian FMCG brands
Consumers depend on government-recognized brands for safety. Incidents like these create doubt about other products as well.
Government Steps Up Monitoring
Authorities have reportedly instructed:
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Stricter quality checks on dairy products
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Randomized surprise inspections
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Possible future action if Patanjali repeats such violations
This shows a growing seriousness toward food safety in India.
Consumer Awareness Is Crucial
The Patanjali case highlights an important lesson:
Do not trust a brand solely based on advertisements, religious sentiments, or celebrity endorsements.
Consumers should:
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Check FSSAI license numbers
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Look for test reports when available
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Prefer brands with consistent quality records
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Report suspicious products on the Food Safety Helpline
Food safety is not a marketing slogan—it is a public responsibility.
Broader Implications for Purity Claims
The ruling marks a significant blow to the credibility of Patanjali, a brand that built its massive consumer base on the promise of “purity,” “naturalness,” and “Ayurvedic” principles.
Consumer safety experts and analysts suggest the case highlights the necessity for rigorous quality control, particularly for high-volume products sold on the platform of trust and traditional wellness.17 While Patanjali asserts its commitment to quality, the failure of the ghee sample in two independent government labs underscores the rising scrutiny being faced by major food brands in the country.