The Hindu Business Line : Contravention of quality norms — Govt suspends licences of 5 edible oil units

Industry & Economy - Standards & Benchmarks
Agri-Biz & Commodities - Oilseeds & Edible Oil

Contravention of quality norms — Govt suspends licences of 5 edible oil units

Deeptha Rajkumar

Mumbai , May 14

THE Union Government has suspended the licences of five edible oil units for contravention of quality norms. Action has been taken under the Vegetable Oil Products (Regulation) Order, 1998 against two units in Uttar Pradesh, one each in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

These were found to have produced edible oil of substandard quality. Samples taken from these units reportedly failed to meet the stringent quality specifications, which are aligned to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955. The quality parameters involves testing parameters like melting point, acid value, refractive index, vitamin content and iodine value etc.

In the case of vanaspati, it is mandatory to use specified quantity of sesame oil as tracer. The units have 30 days to appeal against the cancellation order.

Industry representatives told Business Line that adulteration or production of substandard oil was on the rise and the development officers (formerly known as food inspectors) were either unable or unwilling to take action against offenders.

It is reliably learnt that several units are suspected of violation of the order by exploiting human frailty or because of political clout. On its part, the department is compelled to visit refineries and factories, but infrastructure constraints and manpower inadequacies slow the pace of inspection.

"Adulteration is on the rise. And given that the administrative strength of directorate is squeezed, it is not being contained fast enough. What we need is to appoint more development officers," a Government official said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Vanaspati, Vegetable Oils and Fats under the administrative control of the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs has warned manufacturers of vanaspati and edible oils that non-compliance with the stipulated packaging requirements may result in action being taken as per the provision of the relevant order/Act.

While the Department of Food and Public Distribution is empowered to cancel the licences of units on quality parameters, the State Governments are empowered to take action (under EC Act) against any manufacturer of vanaspati/edible oil who violates Schedule-IX of the Vegetable Oil Products Regulation Order 1998 with regard to packing, marking and labelling of the container.

Instances have been reported where short weight/volume have been declared on the package of vegetable oil/vanaspati. Further more the pack does not bear month/year of manufacture, batch number or retail sale price. "The Governments need to enforce the law more stringently," said sources.

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