Patanjali Ayurved Limited, the consumer goods company founded by yoga guru Ramdev, along with two associated businesses, has been collectively fined Rs 1.4 lakh by Uttarakhand’s Food Safety and Drug Administration following repeated failures of its cow ghee in food safety tests. The penalty includes Rs 1 lakh on Patanjali, Rs 25,000 on the distributor, and Rs 15,000 on the retailer.
The action follows inspections carried out in October 2020 when a sample of Patanjali cow ghee was collected from a general store in the Kasni area of Pithoragarh district. Laboratory analysis at the state-run facility in Rudrapur indicated that the product did not meet prescribed food safety standards and could potentially be harmful if consumed.
After the Rudrapur lab flagged the issue, the authorities issued a notice to Patanjali in 2021. The company requested a re-examination at the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad. In November 2021, the NFL confirmed the findings of the state lab, validating concerns over the quality and safety of the ghee.
The matter was subsequently reviewed by the Adjudicating Officer in Pithoragarh in February 2022, resulting in the imposition of fines. The Uttarakhand Food Safety and Drug Administration noted that repeated non-compliance necessitated regulatory action to protect consumers and ensure adherence to safety standards.
Patanjali has faced scrutiny in the past over product quality issues, and this development underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining consistency across its rapidly expanding portfolio. Authorities emphasized that regular monitoring and lab testing remain crucial in safeguarding public health and that penalties, though modest, serve as a deterrent against violations in the food and consumer goods sector.
The case highlights the intersection of regulatory oversight and corporate accountability in India’s booming packaged foods market, with consumer safety remaining a central concern for authorities nationwide.
