The Hindu Business Line : Plea to amend PFA norms for rice bran oil

THE Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), the association of vegetable oil industry and trade, has called for modification of the non-saponificable matter specification for rice bran oil from 3.5 per cent to at least 4.5 per cent.

Mr A.R. Sharma, President of SEA, told Business Line that while the specification in the US and Europe was 4.5 per cent, it was five per cent in Japan.

The rice bran oil-manufacturing units in the country took a hit due to the lower PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) specification. "They are not able to sell the oil in consumer packets," he said.

Mr Sharma, who spoke his mind on the issue at the international seminar on `New horizons in lipids and specialty oleochemicals' here on Friday, said the PFA specification was dated and based on technologies available a couple of decades ago.

The seminar was organised by the Oil Technologists' Association of India (OTAI).

"We have been demanding for at least 4.5 per cent for the last seven years. But no decision has been taken yet," he regretted.

About 20 units employed a new technology developed by the IICT. Of this, 15 got a Central assistance of Rs 75 lakh each. All these units now had to comply with the obsolete standard.

"The regulations should not come in the way of companies using technological innovations," he said.

Marking the 60th annual convention of OTAI, Prof J.G. Kane Memorial Award (2005) was given to Dr R.B.N. Prasad, IICT, and Dr S. Hussain Zaheer Memorial Award (2004) to Dr Santinath Ghosh (University of Calcutta).

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