Puja Ghee Ban in Uttar Pradesh: FSDA Orders Warning Labels on Non-Food Packs
Uttar Pradesh has announced a puja ghee ban to stop inedible products from being mistaken for real ghee. The state Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has banned the manufacture, storage and sale of products under the name Puja Ghee. FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob issued the order on Saturday. Violations can lead to seizure of stocks and suspension of licences or registrations.
What the puja ghee ban says
The order directs food licence and registration holders across the state to clearly separate edible ghee from non-food products used for puja, havan and lighting lamps. Products made from inedible fats for religious use cannot be labelled ghee. They also cannot be sold as ghee for puja.
Edible ghee, on the other hand, must meet the milk fat standards set under food safety regulations. In short, the word ghee is now reserved for the real, edible product.
Why the puja ghee ban was ordered
The order follows concerns about how some ritual products are made. According to the report, some manufacturers use vanaspati, refined oils, essence, paraffin, mineral oil and other chemicals. These products may look like edible ghee in colour, smell, packaging and appearance. As a result, consumers could eat them by mistake.
The order also flags cross-contamination. If non-food ritual products are made or packed on the same premises as edible ghee, oils, fats or other food, the risk of mixing grows. Therefore the rule targets both labelling and factory practice.
Label rules for non-food ritual products
Manufacturers of such products must follow clear labelling rules.
- Retail packs must display Not for Human Consumption in both Hindi and English.
- Packs must carry a black cross within a square of the prescribed size.
- The same brand name cannot be used for edible ghee and for products made from inedible fats for religious purposes.
These steps make the puja ghee ban easy for shoppers to understand. A pack with the warning and the cross is not food. A pack without them must meet the ghee standard.
What it means for dairies and retailers
Genuine ghee makers benefit from the puja ghee ban. Cheap lookalikes have long cut into their sales and trust. A clear line between food and non-food helps honest brands protect their name.
Retailers and temple suppliers now need to check their stock. Any pack sold as Puja Ghee should be pulled from shelves. Meanwhile, units that make both food and ritual products must separate their lines and records. The order asks all concerned units to comply immediately, so inspections are likely.
What consumers should do
Buyers should read labels carefully. Edible ghee should state that it is ghee and carry a food licence number. Ritual products should clearly say they are not for eating. If a pack looks like ghee but has no clear food information, it is better not to use it in cooking or prasad. Other states may study the puja ghee ban, since the same confusion exists across India.
Frequently asked questions
What is the puja ghee ban in Uttar Pradesh?
The state FSDA has banned the manufacture, storage and sale of products under the name Puja Ghee to prevent inedible fats being mistaken for edible ghee.
What warning must non-food packs carry?
They must show Not for Human Consumption in Hindi and English, plus a black cross within a square of the prescribed size.
What is the penalty for violations?
Violations can lead to seizure of stocks and suspension of licences or registrations.
Related reading
Source: Hindustan Times | DairyNews7x7. Summarised independently in our own words.
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