Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand – November 29, 2025: Promoting indigenous brands and companies is widely seen as a constructive movement toward strengthening India’s economy and supporting local trade. However, advocating for Swadeshi does not give any company the right to misuse patriotic sentiment or the ‘Made in India’ identity to mislead consumers.
A quality controversy surrounding Patanjali Cow Ghee has resurfaced after official lab tests declared the product substandard and unfit for consumption as per prescribed standards. The samples, originally collected by the district’s food safety department in 2020, failed to meet the necessary quality benchmarks during testing at both the state-level lab in Rudrapur and the national accredited lab in Ghaziabad.
What the Lab Reports Revealed
Food Safety officials confirmed that:
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The quality parameters of the ghee were found below acceptable limits
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The product did not comply with quality standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
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Experts acknowledged that consuming substandard ghee may negatively affect public health
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Both labs delivered matching reports, ruling out any contradiction or testing bias
Officials emphasized that adulterated or low-grade ghee consumption carries health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and long-term users.
How the Case Began
The case dates back to 2020 when a Food Safety Officer collected a Patanjali Cow Ghee sample from a local shop in the Kasni area of Pithoragarh district. Following the initial test failure, the distributor and agency requested retesting and review, which led to a prolonged verification process, hearings, and submission of evidence.
After multiple rounds of investigation and court proceedings, the final verdict was delivered under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Court’s Verdict and Penalties
The district court imposed the following fines:
| Entity | Penalty Imposed |
|---|---|
| Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd | ₹1,00,000 |
| Brahm Agency (Distributor) | ₹25,000 |
| Karan General Store (Retail Shop) | ₹15,000 |
Along with the fines, the court issued a strict warning to ensure full compliance with food safety and standard regulations and reinforced the importance of adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Swadeshi Support vs Consumer Trust
While Swadeshi products deserve encouragement, officials and consumer rights activists clearly state that compromising product quality or misleading buyers using the ‘desi’ label is unacceptable.
A brand’s true identity and legacy are built on:
✔ Product quality
✔ Honesty & transparency
✔ Consumer safety
✔ Regulatory compliance
—not solely on its indigenous appeal or marketing narrative.
Public Reaction and Aftermath
Local residents expressed concern over:
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Lack of routine product quality monitoring
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Fear that similar products may still be in circulation
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Need for stricter surveillance of packaged dairy products
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Expectation of higher accountability from national brands
Organizations promoting consumer awareness said:
“Supporting Indian brands is important, but not at the cost of consumer safety. Misusing nationalism for profit must stop.”