Vol. 21 No.4 July-August 2001

We tested 15 brands of ghee — Amul, Anik, Milkman, Devi, EveryDay, Farm Fresh, Gayatri, Gits, Goa Dairy, Nandini, Nova, RKG, Sagar, Verka and Vraj Gopi — and two loose samples purchased locally.

• We tested ghee against specifications of Agmark where applicable, the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and Codex.

• We tested ghee for sensory attributes of flavour, texture, colour and suspended impurities.

• Farm Fresh rated the highest on the sensory score.
  

• Though all the brands were unadulterated with vanaspati and animal fat, the two loose samples were adulterated with vanaspati.

• Though DDT is banned from agricultural use in India it was found in all the brands and loose samples.

• Devi had heptachlor. Lindane was found in Amul, Farm Fresh, Gayatri, Gits, Goa Dairy, Sagar, Nandini and Nova.
  

• Except EveryDay, Goa Dairy, Milkman and Sagar and two loose samples, all the brands had copper. Vraj Gopi showed the highest level of copper at 5.7 ppm.

• Anik, EveryDay, Goa Dairy, Milkman and Nova conformed to the maximum level of 0.8 peroxide value. This parameter indicates rancidity.

• Anik, Devi, Gayatri, Gits, RKG and LG-II did not conform to the BIS levels for free fatty acid.

• EveryDay scored the highest when analytical and sensory parameters are considered together.

• RKG was the most expensive brand at Rs 104 and Goa Dairy had the lowest price at Rs 67.50 for 500 gms.
  lEveryDay is our Best Buy.

Details of the test report can be had in INSIGHT

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