KATHMANDU: Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) - the only state mechanism to look into the food quality in the market-tested the DBD and SDP brand ghee substandard and falling short of parameters set by the government. The report confirms that the brand selling ‘pure buffalo’ ghee was a blatant lie. It was adulterated. DFTQC had acted on a complaint lodged by the National Consumer Forum (NCF). According to DFTQC, DBD and SDP brand ghee, weighing 500-gram each failed to make through the quality test. The lab test found that the ghee produced and distributed by Danchhi Binayak Dairy at Danchhi- 4, Kathmandu and Sagarmatha Butter and Ghee Industry at Jorpati- 2 was not in tune with the quality as prescribed by the government. Consumer rights activists feel that consumers, who spend a large chunk of their earnings on food, should come up against the rampant adulteration and unscrupulous companies operating elsewhere. Prem Lal Maharjan claimed that the 500-gram DBD and SDP brand ghee were selling at Rs 280 each on the false pretence of pure buffalo ghee. “DBD and SDP brand ghee was adulterated with palm sterin, a raw material in the form of oil used to make soaps which are available for Rs 40 per liter,” he argued. Food adulteration with inedible colours and other contaminants is strongly restricted and is punishable by the law. The defendants will be put on trial as per the Section 9 under the Consumer protection Act- 1997.