Maharashtra FDA bans repeated use of cooking oil, sale of loose oil

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has enacted a strict new regulation banning the repeated sale of cooking oil and the sale of loose edible oil in the state of Maharashtra. This order, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, aims to combat food adulteration and enhance food safety across the state. The regulation covers all edible oils and fats, including popular varieties such as groundnut, mustard, soybean, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, rice bran, palm, coconut, sesame, and maize oils, as well as vanaspati.

Violations of this stringent new rule could result in significant penalties – up to Rs 10 lakh for offences involving unsafe food, possession of adulterants, or operating without a valid license. Substandard and misbranded oil could attract penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively. Furthermore, the licenses of offenders could be suspended or even cancelled.

The FDA’s new rules prohibit the sale of loose or unpackaged edible oil, mandating that all oil must be sold exclusively in sealed, tamper-evident, and fully labelled packages. Manufacturers or distributors found dispatching oil in loose form will be deemed primary violators, while retailers are required to reject unsealed or tampered consignments and promptly report such suppliers to food safety officers.

Multi-sourced edible vegetable oil packs are now limited to a maximum weight of 15 kg and must bear AGMARK certification, the names and weight percentages of each constituent oil, and a clear declaration stating "Not to be sold loose". Moreover, multi-sourced edible oil manufactured after June 8, 2021, is prohibited from containing mustard oil, which must be sold in its pure 100% form.

The FDA has also explicitly prohibited the presence of certain substances in edible oil, including argemone oil, mineral oil, castor oil, and tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate. Any oil containing these substances is classified as unsafe. Lastly, the regulation explicitly prohibits the reuse of single-use tin containers to mitigate the risk of metallic contamination, thereby ensuring the purity and safety of the oil being consumed.