An Indian court has mandated that Patanjali Ayurved, renowned for its natural and traditional food and cosmetic products, pay Rs100,000 for distributing substandard ghee. Two retailers involved must also pay Rs40,000 in this case.
On November 28, 2025, Patanjali responded on X, labeling the decision as “erroneous” and announcing plans to appeal.
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Substandard Ghee Incident
As reported by Indian media, the issue arose in 2020 when a food security officer purchased and tested the ghee, which did not meet safety standards. Patanjali, upon notification, conducted a second test at a central lab, confirming the initial findings.
In 2022, a case under the Food Safety and Standards Act was officially filed against the company. By November 2025, the court imposed fines exceeding Rs100,000 on Patanjali and two retailers.
Appeal Strategy
Patanjali criticized the ruling as “legally invalid,” arguing the lab was “not accredited by NABL for testing cow ghee,” and accused it of being sub-standard. They highlighted the inconsistency of the ghee’s labeling by the lab.
The company also argued that the testing parameters were “not applicable at the time,” deeming their use illegal, and noted the sample was tested past its expiry date.
“The court issued an adverse order without considering these critical arguments, which is legally incorrect,” stated Patanjali. “We are appealing to the Food Safety Tribunal and are confident the Tribunal will rule in our favor based on the strong grounds of our case.”
Patanjali asserted the ghee is safe for consumption, citing only a “nominal difference” in RM value, which they claim indicates the level of volatile fatty acids, a parameter they argue does not compromise product safety.
