Top News

• Suspension of the ban on free oil
• Middle Way and New SOP
• Interest of rural areas and small traders

A very important news has come to light for the traditional oil traders, grocers and general consumers of Maharashtra. The Food and Drug Administration (Maharashtra FDA) has recently shown its readiness to withdraw the strict ban on the sale of edible oil and fat, and a new standard operating procedure (SOP) will be implemented in this regard. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directly intervened in the matter and directed the administration to take a “middle way” that protects the interests of small traders without compromising food security.

In order to prevent adulteration of edible oil in Maharashtra, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, through an order on August 20, directed a blanket ban on the sale of edible oil in the state. The order mandated that oil be sold only in sealed, labeled and food-grade containers. It was made mandatory to print the original source of oil, batch number, date of packing and expiry date on the packet. Due to this strict decision of the FDA, there was a stir among the small traders across the state.

Strong opposition from traders and problems in rural areas

All India Edible Oil Traders Federation and small grocers protested against FDA's outright ban decision. The employment of thousands of families who have been in the traditional oil business for generations was threatened by this one decision. Besides, in rural areas or economically weaker sections there is an old habit of buying spare oil in small quantities (eg 200 to 500 gms) as per daily requirement. Traders also raised the point that large packets of packaged oil are not available everywhere in rural areas or the poor cannot afford to buy them.

This issue was taken seriously in the state cabinet meeting. Several ministers pointed out the hardship caused to the common man and small traders due to the outright ban on crude oil. After that, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that, “Prevention of adulteration in oil and ensuring food safety is the priority of the government, but it will not be appropriate to completely shut down the traditional business and drive the small shopkeepers out of the country. Therefore, the FDA will prepare a practical SOP so that the oil business can continue smoothly while maintaining the quality.”

What will be in the new SOP?

Now a detailed SOP is being prepared by FD. The new regulation will set strict standards to check the quality of crude oil and prevent adulteration of cheap oil. Regulations will be promulgated on how oil stocks should be stored in clean and safe containers, how oil quality should be checked regularly and the source of oil should be transparent.

For the time being, the previous ban order has been relaxed and traders have been given scope to continue working. However, after the implementation of the new SOP, every shopkeeper will have to strictly follow these hygiene and safety rules. If adulterated oil is found to be sold in violation of the new SOP, strict action will be taken by the administration. Due to this intervention of the government, edible oil traders and general consumers across Maharashtra have got a big relief.