Mumbai
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered a ban on the sale of loose edible oil across the state, warning that those violating the rules could face strict action, including imprisonment of up to seven years.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said on Thursday that the department would not compromise on the safety of edible oil, given its importance in people’s daily diet.
Maharashtra FDA has banned loose edible oil sales statewide, citing food safety risks, with violations like adulteration facing penalties up to 7 years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fines under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“No compromise will be made on the safety of edible oil, which is directly linked to citizens’ daily diet,” Mundhe said at a press conference in Mumbai.
Mundhe also warned that misleading advertisements related to edible oil could attract a fine of up to ₹10 lakh. He urged people to avoid buying oil sold loose and instead purchase sealed, packaged products.
The FDA has found several violations during inspections across the state, including the sale of adulterated oil, businesses operating without proper licences and unauthorised mixing of different oils.
The department has also found cases where mustard oil was mixed with other oils without authorisation. Mundhe said mustard oil must be sold as 100% mustard oil and cannot be blended with another oil.
Why The FDA Is Cracking Down On Loose Oil
Mundhe said loose oil is still being sold widely despite an existing ban on the practice.
The main concern, according to the FDA, is that buyers often have no way of knowing where the oil came from or whether it meets safety standards.
“Currently, loose oil is being sold on a large scale, yet its source is unknown,” Mundhe said, warning that such oil could pose a food safety risk.
The new enforcement order has been issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It covers the entire supply chain, from oil manufacturers and expeller units to retailers and online sellers.
FDA Finds Adulteration And Labelling Violations
FDA inspections found several problems in the edible oil trade.
These include companies operating without valid licences, selling oil mixed with cheaper oils, unauthorised blending of mustard oil and selling products that do not meet prescribed quality standards.
Officials also found cases of products being relabelled to hide their actual source or date, as well as oil being repackaged close to its expiry date.
The use of packaging not meant for food products was also flagged.
The FDA has specifically warned businesses against reusing containers that previously held mineral oil, lubricants, paints or chemicals.
Rusted, cracked or poorly tinned containers can also contaminate food products.
Single-use tins cannot be reused for packing edible oil.
Reusing Cooking Oil Can Also Be Harmful
Mundhe also raised concerns about the repeated use of frying oil, particularly in hotels and other food businesses.
When oil is heated again and again, harmful compounds such as Total Polar Compounds (TPC), trans fats and aldehydes can increase.
The FDA said oil with TPC above 25% cannot be used, while fresh cooking oil should not exceed 15% TPC.
Used cooking oil must be handed over to authorised Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) collectors. It cannot be put back into the food chain.
The FDA has also advised people at home to avoid repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil.
Fines And Other Penalties
The FDA said violations will be dealt with under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Depending on the offence, the penalties can include:
Unsafe food: Imprisonment and fine of up to ₹10 lakh
Substandard oil: Fine of up to ₹5 lakh
Misbranded oil: Fine of up to ₹3 lakh
Possession of adulterants: Fine of up to ₹10 lakh
Operating without a valid licence: Fine of up to ₹10 lakh
Misleading advertisements: Fine of up to ₹10 lakh
Company directors, partners and managers responsible for violations can also be held personally liable.
The FDA can issue improvement notices and suspend or cancel licences in serious cases.
What Consumers Should Do
The FDA has advised people to avoid buying loose edible oil and purchase only sealed, packaged products.
Consumers should check the label, batch number, packaging date and ‘Best Before’ date before buying.
They should also avoid oil sold in old, rusty or reused cans and ask for a bill or receipt after making a purchase.
For blended edible oils, buyers should check the AGMARK logo and look at the percentage of each oil used in the product.
The FDA has also advised consumers not to rely solely on marketing claims such as “Super-Refined” or “Double-Refined” when choosing edible oil.
The department has directed its field officers to carry out checks across the state and take action against businesses found violating food safety rules.
