Edible Oil Safety Under Scanner: Tukaram Mundhe Warns of Strict Action, Up to Life Imprisonment and ₹10 Lakh Fine
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department’s next major focus will be on ensuring the safety and quality of edible oil.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has issued a strong warning over violations involving edible oil, saying those found putting unsafe or illegally reused oil back into the food chain could face severe legal consequences, including imprisonment ranging from seven years to life and fines of up to ₹10 lakh.
Mundhe said the FDA is intensifying its checks to ensure that edible oil being sold and used across Maharashtra meets food-safety standards. The action comes amid concerns over the repeated use of frying oil and the alleged practice of collecting used oil and reintroducing it into the market through different packaging.
According to Mundhe, the issue is not limited to conventional adulteration. Repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil can result in the formation of harmful compounds, potentially posing serious health risks. He said prolonged consumption of improperly handled or repeatedly reused oil could contribute to a range of health problems and stressed that the matter needs greater public attention.
The FDA has also urged consumers to be particularly cautious while purchasing edible oil. Mundhe advised people to avoid buying loose or unsealed cooking oil and to check the details printed on packaged products. Consumers should look for information such as the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date before purchasing or using the product.
Concern Over Spent Cooking Oil Returning to the Market
One of the major concerns highlighted by the FDA is the handling of used cooking oil, commonly known as spent edible oil.
Mundhe said the FDA’s inspections found discrepancies in the quantity of spent oil being handed over by some large establishments to authorised companies. He cited instances involving hotels where only around 200 litres of used oil had reportedly been given to companies for non-food purposes, despite the establishments consuming more than 1,000 litres of edible oil.
The significant difference, according to the FDA chief, raised questions about where the remaining used oil was going.
Under food-safety regulations, edible oil that has crossed the permissible limit for reuse in frying should not continue to be used for preparing food. Instead, it is supposed to be collected and transferred to authorised agencies for purposes other than human consumption.
Mundhe said the FDA was particularly concerned by indications that some spent oil could be finding its way back into the market under different packaging. If used cooking oil that should no longer be consumed is repackaged and sold as edible oil, it can expose consumers to serious health risks.
The FDA has already held discussions with companies involved in collecting used oil. Mundhe said some of these companies complained that the amount of spent oil they receive is far lower than the quantity of edible oil reportedly consumed by the hospitality sector.
FDA Steps Up Inspections
The Maharashtra FDA has been conducting intensified inspections in recent days. The department initially focused on quick-commerce platforms and major grocery retailers before expanding its attention to edible-oil manufacturers, suppliers and sellers.
The objective is to determine whether the edible oil reaching consumers is safe and whether businesses are following regulations governing its storage, reuse, packaging and sale.
Mundhe said Maharashtra currently has 212 centrally licensed edible-oil producers and 285 operators holding state licences. During the financial year 2025-26, the FDA collected 1,247 edible-oil samples for testing. Of these, 1,142 samples were analysed, with 77 found to be substandard and 15 cases involving misbranding detected.
These findings, according to the FDA, underline the need for continued monitoring of the edible-oil supply chain.
Warning Over Misleading Claims on Oil Packets
The FDA commissioner also warned manufacturers and advertisers against making misleading claims about the nutritional contents of edible oil.
Mundhe said companies cannot simply claim that their products contain specific vitamins, minerals or other beneficial ingredients unless such claims comply with applicable food-safety and advertising regulations.
The FDA, he said, will take action where companies are found violating rules related to product claims or misbranding.
For consumers, the message is straightforward: advertisements and attractive packaging should not be the only basis for choosing cooking oil. Checking the product label, manufacturer information, batch details and expiry date remains important.
Action Over Vimal Elaichi Advertisement
Mundhe also spoke about notices issued by the Maharashtra FDA to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, along with a tobacco company, over an advertisement for Vimal Elaichi.
The FDA had raised concerns that the advertisement could amount to indirect or surrogate promotion of prohibited pan masala and tobacco-related products. Mundhe said the individuals and company concerned had not yet submitted their responses to the notices.
The commissioner maintained that responsibility for advertisements and their potential impact on consumers cannot simply be ignored and indicated that the FDA would continue to examine such matters under the relevant rules.
Strong Message to Food Businesses
Mundhe’s latest warning reflects the Maharashtra FDA’s broader effort to tighten food-safety enforcement. His message to businesses involved in food production, hospitality, retail and distribution is that violations will not be treated lightly.
The focus on used edible oil is particularly significant because the problem can remain hidden from consumers. Once spent oil is collected, repackaged or mixed with other products, it can become difficult for ordinary buyers to identify its original source or determine whether it is safe for consumption.
The FDA’s inspections are therefore aimed not only at detecting adulteration but also at tracing how edible oil moves through the supply chain and ensuring that oil unfit for human consumption is kept out of the food market.
For consumers, the latest warning is a reminder to be more careful about the cooking oil they buy and use. Buying sealed products from reliable sources, checking labels and avoiding loose or unsealed edible oil can help reduce the risk of unknowingly purchasing a product that does not meet safety standards.
With the FDA stepping up inspections across Maharashtra, food businesses involved in the production, sale and use of edible oil are now under increased scrutiny. Mundhe’s warning makes it clear that companies and individuals who violate food-safety regulations could face strict action, with penalties potentially reaching ₹10 lakh and imprisonment of up to life term, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
