Maharashtra has banned the sale of loose edible oil, with violations potentially attracting up to seven years in jail. The FDA flagged adulteration, unauthorised blending, relabelling and unsafe packaging across the supply chain. Consumers have been advised to buy sealed oil, check labels and avoid repeatedly reheating frying oil.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Thursday ordered a ban on the sale of loose (unpacked) edible oil across the state, warning that violations could attract a prison sentence of up to seven years.
Mundhe said the adulteration of edible oil directly affects public health and will no longer be tolerated.
“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 on Thursday.
He further said misleading advertisements could attract a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Mundhe also advised the public against purchasing loose oil.
He said authorities had identified unregistered edible oil companies and found instances of adulteration. He also pointed out that unauthorised blending, particularly of mustard oil with other oils, was taking place, which is prohibited.
There is already a rule prohibiting the sale of edible oil in loose form, and Mundhe urged retailers to refrain from the practice.
He said mustard oil must be sold as 100% pure mustard oil, with no blending permitted, stressing that only packaged edible oil should be sold.
“Currently, loose oil is being sold on a large scale, yet its source is unknown, and it is unsafe for consumption, posing a risk of food poisoning. Furthermore, frying oil is frequently reused — a practice common in hotels,” he said.
Against this backdrop, the Maharashtra FDA chief, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, has issued a comprehensive statewide compliance and enforcement order for the edible oil and fat sector.
The order is effective immediately and is not limited to retailers but is binding across the entire supply chain, from oil expeller units to online sellers.
The move follows inspections conducted by the Maharashtra FDA, which revealed widespread and persistent non-compliance across the edible oil supply chain, including:
- Operating without a valid licence or under incorrect Kind of Business (KoB) categories.
- Adulterating declared oil with cheaper, undeclared oils.
- Selling substandard oil exceeding prescribed acid value and industrial trans-fat limits.
- Unauthorised blending of mustard oil.
- Relabelling products to conceal their actual source and date.
- Repackaging oil that is nearing its expiry date.
- Using non-food-grade packaging.
Against this backdrop, the order has been issued to establish a uniform and clear compliance framework across Maharashtra.
PACKAGING AND CONTAINER VIOLATIONS
The FDA chief has flagged the reuse of containers that previously held mineral oil, lubricants, paints or chemicals. Spot-welded cans can also cause metallic contamination.
Single-use tin cans cannot be reused for food packaging. Rusted, cracked or improperly tinned vessels can render food unfit for human consumption.
RISKS OF REUSING FRYING OIL
In the press conference, Mundhe also highlighted that repeatedly heating and reusing oil generates harmful Total Polar Compounds (TPC), trans-fatty acids, aldehydes and other compounds. Their consumption has been linked to dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, liver and kidney damage, and increased cancer risks.
Oil with TPC exceeding 25% cannot be used, while fresh oil must not exceed 15% TPC. Used oil must be handed over to authorised Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) collectors and cannot re-enter the food chain under any circumstances.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
Violations will attract prosecution under Chapter IX of the Act, with penalties including:
- Unsafe food: Imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh under Section 59.
- Substandard oil: Penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Misbranded oil: Penalty of up to Rs 3 lakh.
- Possession of adulterants: Penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Operating without a valid licence: Penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Misleading advertisements: Penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
In cases involving companies, directors, partners and managers responsible for violations will be held personally liable. Improvement notices, licence suspensions and cancellations will also be initiated where necessary.