Man held for selling ‘ghee’ made from animal fat

Investigating Officer Inspector M C Patel said: “Abdul used to collect animal fat and heat it to develop a ghee-like product. He used to then mix it with milk products to give it the fragrance of milk,which led many to take it as original ghee. Besides,animal fat is yellowish-white and not many can differentiate between ghee made from cow milk or animal fat. He manufactured this spurious ghee at his residence where many people from the neighbourhood bought it.”

He added: “Abdul used to sell the animal fat in other areas in Ahmedabad to wholesale dealers who stocked animal fat. These dealers gave out bulk orders to bakeries,soap factories and roadside stalls. This product is used in bakeries to make the products soft,as a glycerine base in soaps,and as cooking oil in roadside eateries.”

Five others from Abdul’s family,including his father,Abdul Sattar,fled during the raid at his residence. Two cows,three oxen and calves were seized from the spot. Sharp tools like knives and sticks were also recovered,Patel said.

The police have booked the accused and taken up further investigations.