Pithoragarh, India — Patanjali Ayurved, the consumer goods company co-founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev, has been fined after one of its flagship products, cow ghee, failed mandatory quality tests conducted by state and national laboratories in India.
A court in the border district of Pithoragarh imposed a total penalty of ₹1.40 lakh (₹140,000) on Patanjali and two associated traders after laboratory reports found the product fell short of prescribed food safety standards. The verdict, delivered on November 27, comes more than three years after the sample was collected during routine inspection.
Officials from the state’s Food Safety and Drug Administration confirmed the action, calling the test results “concerning” and potentially harmful for consumers.
Two Laboratories Flagged Product for Failing Standards
According to Assistant Commissioner R.K. Sharma, the ghee sample was collected on October 20, 2020 from Kasanī village in Pithoragarh during a routine inspection. Initial testing at the State Food Laboratory in Rudrapur found the product did not meet quality benchmarks.
Patanjali was informed of the findings in 2021, but the company sought a second test from a central laboratory and paid the required fee for reanalysis. A team then took the sample to the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad, where the product again failed to meet the standards.
Officials say the ghee did not conform to norms for purity, raising potential health concerns.
“If consumed, it may cause adverse effects and illness,” Sharma said.
Long Legal Timeline Ends in Penalties
The case reached the court in February 2022 after a review of the laboratory reports. Food Safety Officer Dileep Jain presented evidence before the adjudicating officer and Additional District Magistrate Yogendra Singh.
Following 1,348 days of proceedings, the court ruled:
- ₹100,000 fine on Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. (manufacturer)
- ₹25,000 fine on Brahm Agency (distributor)
- ₹15,000 fine on Karan General Store (retailer)
The court also issued a directive requiring all parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
A Setback for a High-Profile Brand
The ruling marks an unusual setback for Patanjali, a company that has cultivated a massive consumer base in India by marketing its products as natural, pure and aligned with traditional Ayurvedic practices. The company has faced scrutiny in the past over product quality, labeling and advertising claims, but legal penalties of this nature remain relatively rare.
Consumer safety experts say the case highlights the growing enforcement capacity of regional food safety authorities.
“This underscores the importance of rigorous product testing, especially when companies promote themselves on the basis of purity and trust,” said a former food standards advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Broader Questions on Quality Compliance
The episode comes at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly attentive to food quality, and regulators are tightening oversight across the packaged goods sector. Analysts say the Patanjali case could prompt reviews of other high-volume products and encourage both state and central agencies to act more decisively when discrepancies emerge.
For now, officials say further monitoring of Patanjali’s supply chain and production processes will continue.
“Consumer health is our primary concern,” Sharma said. “Companies must adhere strictly to food safety norms.”
