A2 Ghee
Fake A2 Ghee: 8 Label Tricks & How to Verify a Real A2 Claim
You cannot tell whether ghee is A2 by colour, smell or a home test, because A2 refers to the milk protein of the animal, and ghee contains almost no protein. A genuine A2 claim needs proof at the source: a named A2 breed or buffalo, the farm, A2A2 genotype (PCR) testing of the herd or milk, and a batch lab report showing the ghee itself is pure.
Quick take
- A2 is about the animal, not the ghee — no home test can prove it.
- Biggest tricks: vague “A2”, “bilona” made from cream, blended ghee, too-low prices.
- Ask for: breed + farm + PCR genotype + batch lab report.
- Check the 14-digit FSSAI licence on FSSAI’s FoSCoS portal.
Why A2 is easy to fake
“A2” describes the beta-casein protein in the milk of certain animals (what is A2 ghee). Making ghee removes almost all protein — our lab measured less than 0.01 g per 100 g — so the finished ghee carries no reliable A2 “fingerprint”. Any A2 ghee claim therefore rests on where the milk came from. That is exactly why vague labels thrive.
Regulation is still unsettled: in August 2024 FSSAI issued an advisory asking food businesses to drop A1/A2 claims from milk-product labels, then withdrew it days later for wider consultation. There is no government “A2 certified” mark (ghee certifications explained).
8 label tricks to watch for
- “A2” with no breed: big A2 letters, but no Gir, Sahiwal, buffalo or farm named.
- A breed in the brand name only: “Gir” or “Desi” in the logo, mixed milk in the jar.
- “Made with A2 milk”: may mean some A2 milk blended with regular milk.
- “Bilona” from cream: curd churning claimed, cream separation used (what bilona really means).
- “Vedic”, “ancient”, “cultured”: evocative words with no defined standard (vedic ghee).
- A price that cannot be true: genuine A2 bilona ghee costs ~₹2,000–4,500 a litre (A2 ghee price).
- “Lab tested” with no report: or a report with no batch number, date or lab name.
- “NABL certified ghee”: NABL accredits laboratories, not products; the right phrase is “tested at a NABL-accredited lab”.
How to verify a real A2 claim
| Ask for | What good looks like |
|---|---|
| Source | Named breed (or buffalo) and farm / region |
| A2 proof | A2A2 genotype by PCR on the herd or milk (A2A2 explained) |
| Purity | Batch report: milk fat ≥ 99.5%, moisture ≤ 0.5%, Baudouin test negative |
| Traceability | Batch number and date that match the jar |
| Licence | 14-digit FSSAI licence you can check on FSSAI’s FoSCoS portal (fssai.gov.in) |
Purity is easier to check than A2 status — start there with how to identify pure ghee. A seller who answers all five questions without hesitation is usually genuine. Ours are on the A2 Farmer lab report, and you can buy lab-verified A2 ghee directly.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if my ghee is really A2?
Not at home. A2 is a property of the animal's milk protein and ghee has almost no protein. Ask the seller for the breed and farm, A2A2 genotype testing by PCR of the herd or milk, and a batch purity report.
Is there an A2 certification in India?
No. There is no government A2 certification mark. FSSAI briefly advised removing A1/A2 claims from labels in August 2024 and withdrew the advisory days later for further consultation.
Does colour show whether ghee is A2?
No. A2 buffalo ghee is white and A2 cow ghee is yellow. Colour reflects the animal and its diet, not A2 status.
What does 'NABL certified ghee' mean?
NABL accredits testing laboratories, not products. The accurate claim is that the ghee was tested at a NABL-accredited lab.
A2 you can verify
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
Shop A2 Ghee →