Cement-based fake garlic sold in Maharashtra sparks outrage | WATCH

New Delhi: A shocking video has surfaced on social media, revealing that fake garlic made from cement is being sold in Maharashtra's Akola district. With garlic prices soaring, some unscrupulous vendors have exploited the situation, deceiving unsuspecting buyers with counterfeit produce.

Scam exposed by retired police officer's family

The fraudulent scheme was uncovered when the wife of Subhash Patil, a retired police officer residing in Bajoria Nagar, Akola, discovered she had been duped. She had purchased 250 grams of garlic from a street vendor near her home. However, when she attempted to peel the garlic, she noticed the cloves would not separate. Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the so-called garlic was actually made of cement, coated in white to mimic the appearance of real garlic.

Watch the video here:

सीमेंट से बना लहसुन

A shocking case has come to light from Maharashtra's Akola, where some hawkers are cheating people by selling fake garlic, which were found to be made of cement.pic.twitter.com/fL4WNzoYpx

— Kaushik Kanthecha (@Kaushikdd) August 18, 2024

Public health concerns raised

Reacting to the incident, Patil expressed concern over the potential health risks posed by the fake garlic, which is being sold by street vendors under the guise of genuine produce. The scam involves mixing cement-based garlic with real garlic, making it challenging for consumers to differentiate between the two.

Garlic’s status clarified by court ruling

In a related development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ruled that garlic is a vegetable, thereby permitting its sale in both vegetable and spice markets. This ruling resolves a long-standing debate over garlic's classification and is expected to benefit farmers and traders by allowing garlic to be recognized as both a vegetable and a spice.