Maharashtra revokes ban on sale of loose oil, seeks SOP to curb adulteration
Maharashtra has revoked its ban on loose edible oil after concerns over its impact on traditional businesses and low-income consumers. The government will now ask the FDA to develop an SOP to prevent adulteration while allowing legitimate loose oil sellers to continue operating.
MUMBAI: Four days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of loose edible oil in the state, Maharashtra government decided to revoke the order, arguing that that the move was adversely affecting the edible oil industry, in which several family businesses have been in operation for generations.
At the state cabinet meeting on Monday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government would direct the FDA to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) that strikes a balance between curbing adulteration in edible oil and allowing legitimate businesses to continue operating.
The development comes a day after the All India Edible Oil Traders Federation held a state-level meeting in Nashik, where traders strongly condemned the FDA’s decision to ban loose edible oil, threatening a state-wide protest. The federation gave the state government a 15-day ultimatum to revoke the decision.
During the cabinet meeting, several ministers expressed concern over the ban and its potential impact on both the industry and families from economically weaker sections. The issue was raised by Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Rathod. “He pointed out that many families have been in this business for generations who cannot be asked to shut down their businesses overnight,” a senior minister said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It was also backed by Shiv Sena president and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who pointed out that packaged edible oil is not readily available in rural areas, where many families continue to rely on loose oil, said a government insider.
After the cabinet meeting, Fadnavis told reporters: “We will direct the FDA to find a middle path by formulating an SOP that ensures the quality of edible oil and prevents adulteration, while also allowing traditional businesses to continue. The objective is to ensure that loose oil is free from adulteration without forcing these businesses to shut down.”
On August 20, the FDA issued an order banning the sale of loose or unpackaged edible oils and fats in a bid to curb adulteration and protect public health. The order underscored that all cooking oil be sold in sealed, tamper-free and properly labelled food-grade packaging, with details including the source and expiry date clearly mentioned.
President of the All India Edible Oil Traders Federation Shankar Thakkar said the stringent decision had raised fears about the edible oil business coming to a complete standstill. “The traders have decided to approach the high court against the decision and will also take up the matter with the Central government,” he said. He questioned why such stringent restrictions and punitive action were being imposed only on edible oil when the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, both of which are harmful to health, is permitted.
The federation claimed that 1,247 samples were tested over the past year, of which only 12 were found to be substandard, arguing that crops are currently subjected to extensive chemical treatment, resulting in changes to the produce at the source itself. “Traders cannot be held responsible for this,” he said.
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Source : Hindustan Times
