Maharashtra FDA new crackdown as tightens edible oil rules: 12 key rules consumers and sellers need to know

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration FDA led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Thursday introduced a comprehensive statewide compliance order covering the entire edible oil supply chainThe crackdown follows extensive market inspections that found adulteration improper labelling unsafe packaging repackaging of nearexpiry oil and other food safety violationsHere are the key points of the Maharashtra FDAs edible oil crackdownSale of loose edible oil prohibitedOne of the biggest changes is the prohibition on the sale of loose or unpackaged edible oilAll edible oil must now be sold in sealed tamperevident and properly labelled containers The move is aimed at improving traceability and reducing the risk of contamination and adulterationEntire supply chain under the scannerThe order does not stop at retailers It applies across the edible oil supply chain includingOil expeller unitsSolvent extraction unitsRefineriesBlendersRepackersWholesalersSupermarketsDistributorsOnline sellers and delivery platformsThis means manufacturers and suppliers can also be held accountable when unsafe or noncompliant oil enters the marketManufacturers must have inhouse laboratoriesManufacturers are required to maintain functional inhouse testing laboratories as a condition for obtaining or retaining an operational licenceThe requirement is intended to ensure that edible oil is tested for quality and safety before it reaches consumersStrict rules for blended edible oilsMultisourced edible vegetable oils will have to meet additional requirements including AGMARK certification and clear disclosure of their constituent oilsThe FDA has also specified restrictions concerning mustard oil in such blends including a prohibition on mustard oil in products manufactured after June 2021 under the conditions outlined in the orderNo reused or rusted containersThe crackdown also targets unsafe packagingThe reuse of singleuse tin cans and rusted or spotwelded metal containers has been prohibited Edible oil must be packed in certified foodgrade containers to minimise the possibility of chemical contaminationRepeatedly heated cooking oil faces a 25 per cent TPC limitThe order sets a strict limit for Total Polar Compounds TPC in repeatedly used frying oilOil with TPC exceeding 25 per cent cannot be used for food preparation Such oil must instead be handed over to authorised collectors for conversion into biodiesel preventing it from reentering the food chainAdulteration and misbranding are major targetsThe FDAs inspections reportedly uncovered several forms of noncompliance includingAdulteration with cheaper oilsSale of substandard edible oilExcessive acid value or transfat levelsRepackaging of nearexpiry oilImproper or misleading labellingSale without valid licencesThe new compliance order seeks to address these practices across the supply chain rather than focusing only on the final retailerWhy loose oil is a food safety concernAccording to the FDAs concerns loose oil creates problems with traceability contamination and adulteration It can also make it difficult to establish the products original manufacturer batch details and shelf lifeThe order specifically highlights the risk of adulteration with toxic substances such as argemone oil which has historically been associated with epidemic dropsy and serious health consequencesReused frying oil can pose health risksRepeatedly heating cooking oil can increase TPC levels and lead to the formation of potentially harmful compoundsThe FDA has therefore made the 25 per cent TPC threshold a key part of its crackdown particularly relevant to businesses that repeatedly use the same frying oilHeavy penalties for violationsThe crackdown comes with significant financial and legal consequencesDepending on the nature of the violation penalties can include fines of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment Other offences including dealing in substandard food misbranding operating without a valid licence and misleading advertisements can attract separate penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006The order also provides for personal accountability of company officers partners and managers where applicableOnline sellers are also coveredThe FDAs order extends beyond physical shops and supermarkets to online sellers and delivery platformsThis is significant as consumers increasingly purchase packaged edible oils through ecommerce and online grocery platformsWhat consumers should checkConsumers can also play a role in identifying unsafe edible oil The FDA advises buyers toAvoid buying loose or unsealed edible oilCheck the batch numberCheck the bestbefore dateAvoid oil sold in rusted or damaged containersCheck AGMARK certification where applicableRead the ingredients and blend percentages on multisource oilsAvoid repeatedly reheating cooking oil at homeMaharashtras latest edible oil crackdown shifts the focus from simply penalising retailers to holding the entire supply chain accountableFrom manufacturers and refiners to supermarkets and online sellers businesses handling edible oil will face stricter compliance requirementsFor consumers the message is straightforward buy sealed properly labelled oil check its batch and expiry details and avoid products sold in unsafe packaging or without clear traceability