Indian consumer goods giant Patanjali Ayurved has launched a legal appeal against a recent court ruling that found the company liable for selling substandard ghee products. The controversy centers around a 2020 case where food safety authorities purchased and tested Patanjali’s ghee, which allegedly failed to meet established safety parameters.
The legal proceedings, initiated under India’s Food Safety and Standards Act, culminated in a November 2025 ruling that ordered Patanjali to pay ₹100,000 (approximately $1,200) in penalties, while two retailers faced additional fines of ₹40,000 each. The case originated when a food security officer conducted random testing of the product, with initial results indicating non-compliance with safety standards. A subsequent test at a central laboratory reportedly confirmed these findings.
Patanjali has mounted a vigorous defense, asserting three primary grounds for appeal. The company contends that the testing laboratory lacked proper accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) specifically for cow ghee analysis. Furthermore, the organization claims the parameters used for testing were ‘illegally applied’ as they were not applicable at the time of product manufacture. The third argument presented suggests the sample was tested after its expiration date, potentially compromising the validity of results.
In an official statement released on social media platform X, Patanjali characterized the court’s decision as ‘erroneous’ and ‘legally invalid.’ The company maintains that the identified variance in RM values—which measure volatile fatty acid levels—represents only a ‘nominal difference’ that does not impact product safety or consumability.
The appeal will now proceed to India’s Food Safety Tribunal, where Patanjali expresses confidence in achieving a favorable outcome. This case emerges against a backdrop of increased regulatory scrutiny of consumer goods in India, particularly those marketed as natural or traditional products.