Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 20: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on adulteration and regulatory violations in the edible oil sector, directing businesses across the supply chain to strictly comply with food safety standards.
The action has been taken under the FDA's ‘Safe Food, Safe Drugs, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign. Under the leadership of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the department has issued a compliance order covering every stage of the edible oil trade, from production and packaging to storage, transportation, distribution and sale.
The Maharashtra FDA, which is responsible for enforcing the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related regulations in the state, said previous inspections had uncovered several serious violations in the edible oil sector.
These included operating without valid licences or registrations, adulteration, sale of sub-standard oil with acid values exceeding permissible limits, relabelling and repackaging. Officials also detected instances where oil nearing expiry was repackaged and sold again, while non-standard packaging material was also being used.
Violations were detected in mustard oil, multi-source edible oils, vegetable oils and blends containing mustard oil, raising concerns over both consumer safety and compliance with prescribed standards.
The FDA has made it clear that only 100 per cent mustard oil can be sold under the name ‘mustard oil’ from June 8. Multi-source edible oils and other blended oils must also meet prescribed quality and labelling requirements.
During inspections, officials reportedly found large quantities of edible oil being sold loose without labels. Such products often lack important information such as ingredients, batch numbers and other mandatory details, making it difficult for consumers to establish the quality and origin of the product.
Under the new compliance requirements, loose edible oil will not be permitted for sale. Consumers must be supplied oil in properly sealed and labelled packaging.
The FDA order covers virtually the entire edible oil supply chain, including oil manufacturers, extraction units, solvent extraction units, refineries, vanaspati manufacturers and producers of interesterified fats, vegetable fats, lecithin, shortening, margarine and chemical sprays.
It also applies to multi-source edible oil blenders, repackers, relabellers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, super-stockists and transporters. Departmental stores, grocery shops and online sellers dealing in edible oils will also have to comply with the requirements.
The department has raised concerns over unsafe storage and transportation practices. Inspections reportedly found repeated use of old drums and containers, including rusted containers, for storing and selling oil. Officials also detected instances of oil being transported in tankers that had previously carried other materials.
The FDA has stressed that prescribed standards for packaging, storage and transportation must be followed to prevent contamination and protect the quality of edible oils.
The department has also warned against repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil. According to the FDA, repeated heating can increase Total Polar Compounds (TPC) in cooking oil. Oil with TPC levels above 25 per cent is considered harmful to health, and consumers as well as food establishments have been advised against repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil.
Businesses operating in the edible oil sector are required to comply with nine applicable regulations covering various stages of processing, purification, storage, packaging, transportation, distribution and sale.
The FDA said the compliance order would be strictly enforced and action would be taken against violations. Depending on the nature and seriousness of an offence, food safety laws provide for penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, with severe punishment applicable in certain cases. A fine of up to Rs 10 lakh can also be imposed for specified offences involving adulterated food.
The exact punishment, however, depends on the offence and the provisions applicable to the particular case. The FDA has powers to inspect premises, collect samples, seize food products and initiate or recommend prosecution where necessary.
The department has urged consumers to avoid loose edible oil and purchase only properly packed products. Consumers have been advised to check the product label, manufacturing date, batch number, ingredient details and condition of the seal before purchasing cooking oil.
The FDA has specifically cautioned consumers against purchasing products with broken seals or unclear or illegible labels. Consumers who suspect violations can report them to the Maharashtra FDA through its grievance mechanism.