Patanjali's Amla Juice Found Unfit For Consumption, Defence Department Suspends Sale

In a major setback for Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved, the defence Canteen Stores Department (CSD) declared the popular Amla juice as 'unfit for consumption' following the test reports.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 24 April 2017 9:16 pm

Yet again Patanjali Ayurved, the FMCG Company promoted by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, is facing restraint after the retailing platform for India's defence forces canteen stores department(CSD) suspended the sale of Patajali Ayurved’s Amla Juice from all its outlets.

The decision to discontinue sale of amla juice was taken following unfavorable state-laboratory test report on the product, reported The Economic Times.

Quoting the CDS officials, the ET report said that the batch was tested at the Central Food Lab in Kolkata and was declared unfit for consumption. Patanjali has withdrawn amla juice from all army canteens.

In a letter dated April 3, 2017, the CSD asked all depots to make debit notes for their existing stock so that the Amla Juice can be sent back to Patanjali.

This is not the first time the company is embroiled into controversies with regards to its products. Previously, Patanjali was penalized with Rs 11 Lakh for their misleading advertisements.

Products like “Patanjali Noodles” and “Patanjali Pasta” were banned when the food department authorities found them selling these products without lincense. Later Patanjali Ayurveda also failed the food quality test which was organized by the District Food Safety Department.

Controversies have been surrounding the Patanjali products since it came into the market. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) in July last year found that Patanjali's claim for its Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil that rival makers are selling mustard oil "adulterated with oil made by solvent extraction process with neurotoxin containing Hexane", was not substantiated.

Although, most of the advertisements of the Patanjali product claims to have used 100% natural ingredients, in the last few years Patanjali products have failed miserably in all the tests that were conducted by the District Food Safety Department.

Last year the brand failed to substantiate its claims for Patanjali Fruit Juice, where it had claimed rival brands as "expensive juices containing less pulp".

(With PTI inputs)