In a significant move to safeguard public health, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has issued an immediate ban on the sale of loose or unpacked edible oil across the state. The directive, announced on Thursday, warns that non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to seven years and substantial fines.
Protecting Consumers from Adulteration and Health Risks
Commissioner Mundhe emphasized that the primary motivation behind the ban is to combat widespread adulteration and ensure the quality and safety of edible oils consumed by the public. Inspections conducted by the FDA revealed numerous violations, such as the sale of substandard oil, unsafe packaging practices, and adulteration with cheaper, undeclared oils. Loose oil often lacks crucial information like batch numbers and source details, making it impossible to trace its origin and quality.
Scope of the Ban and Prohibited Practices
The new order, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, applies to every entity within the edible oil supply chain. This includes oil expeller units, solvent extraction units, blenders, packaging units, importers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and retail shops. The FDA highlighted several specific violations that are now under strict scrutiny:
- Operating without valid licenses.
- Adulterating edible oil with cheaper, undeclared oils.
- Selling oil that exceeds permissible acid value and trans-fat limits.
- Unauthorized blending of mustard oil, which must be sold as 100% pure.
- Relabeling and repackaging near-expiry oil to extend its shelf life.
- Using non-food-grade packaging materials.
The ban covers commonly used oils such such as groundnut, mustard, sunflower, rice bran, palm, coconut, and maize oil. Consumers are advised to look for the AGMARK logo and component percentages on multi-sourced edible oils and not rely on vague claims like "Super-Refined" or "Double-Refined."
Packaging and Transportation Standards
Beyond the oil itself, the FDA is also cracking down on packaging and transportation malpractices. Mundhe pointed out that many vendors reuse containers that previously held mineral oil, lubricants, paints, or other chemicals, posing a serious health risk. The use of spot-welded cans, which can cause metallic contamination, and the reuse of single-use tin cans for food packaging are also prohibited. Rusted, cracked, or improperly tinned vessels were found to render food unfit for consumption. Furthermore, edible oil must be protected from direct sunlight and strong odors during storage and transportation, with tankers previously used for non-edible or hazardous materials strictly forbidden for oil transport.
Health Implications of Reused Frying Oil
The Commissioner also addressed the dangerous practice of repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil, common in many establishments and households. This practice generates harmful compounds linked to serious health issues, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, liver and kidney damage, and increased cancer risks. Oil with Total Polar Compounds exceeding 25% is deemed unsafe, while fresh oil must not exceed 15%. Used oil must be handed over to authorized collectors and prevented from re-entering the food chain.
Severe Penalties for Violators
The FDA announced stringent penalties for those who violate the new regulations. Under Chapter IX of the Food Safety and Standards Act:
- Selling unsafe food can lead to imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Substandard oil sales may attract penalties up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Misbranded oil can result in fines up to Rs 3 lakh.
- Possession of adulterants carries penalties up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Operating without a valid license can incur fines up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Misleading advertisements are subject to penalties up to Rs 10 lakh.
Notably, company directors, partners, and managers responsible for violations will be held personally liable. The FDA also reserves the right to issue improvement notices, suspend, or cancel licenses as necessary.