Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of loose or unpacked edible oil across the state. Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced the directive on Thursday, stating that violations could result in prosecution and imprisonment of up to seven years.
The order, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, covers the entire supply chain. It applies to oil expeller units, solvent extraction facilities, blenders, packaging units, importers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms and retail outlets. Misleading advertisements can attract penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Mundhe said inspections had uncovered widespread problems, including adulteration, unsafe packaging and the sale of substandard oil. Loose or unsealed oil lacks batch numbers and source details, making it difficult to trace. Officials found unregistered operators, products mixed with cheaper undeclared oils, oil exceeding permitted acid value and trans-fat limits, unauthorised blending of mustard oil, relabelling of near-expiry stock and use of non-food-grade containers.
Mustard oil must be sold as 100 per cent pure, a rule in place since June 8, 2021. For multi-sourced oils, buyers were advised to check the AGMARK logo and listed component percentages rather than relying on claims such as “Super-Refined” or “Double-Refined.” The ban covers common varieties including groundnut, mustard, sunflower, rice bran, palm, coconut and maize oil. The state has 212 centrally licensed producers and 285 state-licensed operators.
Packaging violations included reuse of containers that previously held mineral oil, lubricants, paints or chemicals. Spot-welded cans risk metallic contamination, and single-use tin cans cannot be reused for food. Rusted or cracked vessels and transport in tankers previously used for non-edible materials were also flagged. Edible oil must be protected from sunlight and strong odours during storage and movement.
Repeated heating of oil produces harmful compounds linked to health problems. Oil with Total Polar Compounds above 25 per cent is prohibited, and fresh oil must stay below 15 per cent. Used oil must go to authorised collectors and cannot re-enter the food chain. Consumers were urged not to reuse frying oil repeatedly at home and to buy only sealed packaged products.
Penalties under Chapter IX of the Act include fines up to Rs 10 lakh for unsafe food, Rs 5 lakh for substandard oil, Rs 3 lakh for misbranded products, and Rs 10 lakh for possessing adulterants, operating without a licence or issuing misleading ads. Company directors, partners and managers can be held personally liable. Improvement notices, licence suspensions and cancellations will follow where required.