Is Ghee a Livestock Product? Here Is What Supreme Court Has to Say

You’ve read the title. What do you think the answer is?

Is ghee a livestock product or not? 

An argument started with one side stating that ghee isn’t a livestock product since it doesn’t yield directly from cows and buffaloes.

But why was this argument even started?

The petition stemmed from the Andhra Pradesh government’s 1994 notification, which grants market committees the authority to levy fees on its sale and purchase. The Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether ‘ghee’ – a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine – qualifies as a livestock product under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh (Agricultural Produce and Livestock) Markets Act, 1966.

This 1994 notification was met with resistance from producers of livestock products who challenged its validity in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. They contended that ghee cannot be considered a product of livestock and therefore should not be subject to regulation and classification.

The high court verdict

The High Court, however, dismissed the contention and asserted that all livestock products fall under the purview of the Livestock Products Act, as defined by the legislation.

The matter reaches the supreme court 

The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, where two key questions were raised: whether ghee qualifies as a “livestock product” under the provisions of the 1966 Act and whether the notification adhered to the prescribed regulations.

On March 5, Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and SV Bhatti delivered a unanimous verdict, affirming ghee as a byproduct of milk, which unequivocally qualifies it as a livestock product.

The top court also acknowledged the High Court rightly held that even though ‘ghee’ is not directly obtained from milk, which is a product of livestock, it would still be a ‘product of a product of livestock’ and that it serves the purpose of the legislation and payment of market fees related to livestock products.

It said that the inclusion of ‘ghee’ as a livestock product cannot be faulted merely because it is derived from another dairy product.

Therefore, it was ruled that ghee, the elixir of Indian cuisine, is in fact a livestock product.

It is important to note that though ghee doesn’t come directly from cows and buffaloes, it still is a by-product of them and must be considered a livestock product.

At Pravarsha Dairy, the milk is sourced freshly from the farms and is used to make the ghee that reaches your doorstep. 

Pravarsha Dairy ghee is made from 100% natural milk fat, is full of flavours and is known for its superior taste and aroma. Packed in a 100% safe environment is supplied to your doorstep and is free from Adulteration.

Now that you have read this article, what is your opinion on this matter?