Don’t know about others, but these days, while shopping, I always wonder if these edible oils are Really Healthy? 🤞🏿
Well, most of us do, just like Rajasthan-based cousins Kabir and Chetan Sihag. They, just like us, often have unanswered questions running in their minds:
Is it as pure as claimed?
Are they sure it can’t be harmful?
What if products labeled healthy are ACTUALLY NOT HEALTHY? 💀
The duo was concerned about the adulterated and broken food system and refused to accept it.
Kabir noticed a big difference in food quality when Kabir moved from India to the U.S. to study physics.
Vedika Organics was founded in 2020, and it specializes in wood-pressed oils and nutrient-rich spices.
But how come the food-related concern turned into a successful startup?
A Bit of the Backstory
Chetan was very conscious about food quality and hygiene. He traveled 100 kilometers once or twice a month to obtain fresh, pure oil from a reliable source.
In 2017, they realized that if they had to make such efforts for pure food, many others must be facing the same challenges.
The entrepreneurs from Rajasthan had lost some relatives to lifestyle-related diseases like cancer and diabetes.
In 2019, Kabir returned to India from the US, where he had a scholarship for his master’s degree, and together with his healh-conscious cousin, Chetan, he started Vedika Organics.
Identifying the Gap
While studying in the US, Kabir noticed that while organic food is common in the US, it is hard to find in India, and it’s uncertain if what you do find is genuinely pure.
Disturbed by the concerns and non-transparent food supply industry, the duo wanted to create a trusted brand that offers transparency to consumers.
However, jitna asan lagta hai it not that easy.
But these cousins, instead of using high temperatures (200° C) to extract oils (which in turn destroys natural nutrients), use a traditional wooden churner and low temperatures (20° C) for the process.
Per 100 grams of Vedika Organics mustard oil there is around 17.3 g of Omega-3. Almost double that of other brands. Mind it.
Little Known Facts:
- Hexane, a chemical typically used for industrial cleaning, is also used to extract more oil from seeds.
- Processing at such high temperatures and harmful chemicals does not preserve Omega-3.
- Trans fats form when oil is heated over 200°C, altering its structure. Thus, it can clog arteries, increase bad cholesterol, and greatly raise the risk of heart disease.
- Many countries have banned trans fats, however, in India it is still commonly found in oils used.
Implementing the Plan: Quality Products
Vedika Organics sources seeds and ingredients from 3,000 farmers in more than 25 villages.
Following the fair price policy, the brand pays farmers accurately and ensures that the raw materials are grown organically. After harvesting, the seeds (non-GMO and GMO mustard seeds) undergo thorough testing by Vedika Organics.
After harvesting, the seeds are cleaned at a grading station to remove impurities like dust and leaves. The brand uses a wooden press churner to gently extract the oil at temperatures below 50° Celsius.
This process keeps the oil pure and free from harmful chemicals. It occurs slowly, drop by drop, and is ultimately packaged in glass bottles to avoid contamination.
Vedika Organics’ Offers
The brand offers a range of about 25 healthy oils and spices, including:
- Wood-Pressed Oil: Groundnut oil, Mustard oil, Sesame oil, Almond oil,
- Virgin Coconut Oil
- Yellow Mustard Oil
- Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil and more.
Vedika Organics’ oils are healthy and nutritious due to a slow extraction process, resulting in prices that are 30-40% higher than regular edible oils.
Beyond Oils: Adding Taste to Our Food
Though oils are still their main product, Vedika Organics now offers spices with the same high standards. Raw materials are sourced directly from farmers belonging to recognized areas, like:
- Turmeric from Lakadong in Meghalaya
- Cumin from Jalore
- Black Pepper from Salem
Quick Note: Turmeric by Vedika Organics has up to 9% curcumin, the active medicinal ingredient, compared to just 1–2% in most turmeric products.
Strategic Pricing Technique
The founders do not follow a maximise sales strategy. Instead, they focus on increasing production that will ultimately reduce the oil costs. That too, without compromising the values and ethics of the company: high-quality products at reasonable costs.
With prioritizing product purity over marketing, leading to gradual word-of-mouth promotion.
The brand has established a customer base of over 15,000 in India and internationally, including the Netherlands, Canada, the US, and Australia.
Vedika Organics primarily sells online and directly to consumers, with some international supermarkets carrying its products.
Vedika Organics has a retention rate of 70%, among the highest in the industry.
Investments and Returns
The founders invested ₹70 lakh to establish a manufacturing unit and conduct R&D.
Vedika Organics has seen steady growth, generating ₹2.16 crore annually and around ₹18 lakh monthly. The co-founder stated they aim to reach over ₹8 crore in the 2025-26 financial year by boosting international sales.
Vedika Organics and cousins Kabir and Chetan demonstrate how a concern can turn into a successful business if we have passion and a commitment to quality. By focusing on transparency and ethical sourcing, they are tackling food adulteration and setting purity standards in the edible oil and spice industry.
What we learned: Through their journey, we should learn the importance of values in meeting consumer demands and proving that sustainable entrepreneurship can thrive.
Shop your batch @Vedica Organics 🛒
