Maharashtra FDA bans sale of loose cooking oil

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented a ban on the sale of loose cooking oil across the state. Under the new regulations, retailers are prohibited from dispensing oil from large drums, containers, or cans to customers; instead, all cooking oil must be sold in its original, labeled packaging.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the decision follows investigations revealing issues such as oil adulteration, unlicensed trading, and the sale of old oil as new. The crackdown aims to ensure consumers can verify the quality, source, and labeling of the products they purchase.

Violators face significant penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Fines can reach up to 1 million rupees for unsafe food, adulteration, or unlicensed business operations. Additional penalties include up to 500,000 rupees for substandard oil and 300,000 rupees for incorrect labeling. Serious offenses may result in the suspension or cancellation of business licenses.

The FDA has also banned the reuse of containers previously used for mineral oil, lubricants, or chemicals to prevent metallic or chemical contamination. Furthermore, the department will monitor the reuse of oil in hotels, noting that oil with a Total Polar Compound (TPC) level exceeding 25 percent cannot be reused.