Report

The Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety has implemented stricter rules to prevent businesses from reusing cooking oil in harmful ways. Authorities will impose penalties of up to ₹1 lakh on individuals and businesses that reuse oil improperly. They will penalize those who use oil more than three times without submitting it to authorized organizations. As part of the central government’s Eat Right India (ERI) initiative and Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) scheme, businesses must submit their used cooking oil to approved agencies for bio-diesel production. These agencies buy recycled oil at ₹50–60 per litre and send it to state-owned oil corporations.

Health Risks Linked to Reusing Cooking Oil

Reusing cooking oil can cause serious health problems, including an increased risk of cancer. The Food Safety Department partners with around 30 agencies across the state to collect used oil from eateries. However, many businesses remain unaware that they can sell their used oil, leading to improper disposal.

Large-Scale Eateries Must Submit Used Oil

Hotels, chip and snack producers, and bakeries that use over 50 litres of oil per day must submit their used oil to authorized agencies. These agencies must maintain a record of the oil they collect. Authorities conduct inspections to ensure that oil contains no more than 20% of total polar compounds, which indicates oil degradation. For safety, businesses should use cooking oil on the same day it is prepared.

Compliance and Impact in Kozhikode District

Over 100 businesses in Kozhikode district now follow these regulations, submitting around 10,000 litres of used oil every month. Last year, district agencies collected 7,30,000 litres of used oil, representing only 30% of the total oil produced. Food safety authorities have stepped up efforts to educate businesses about the dangers of reusing cooking oil and the importance of following these regulations.

Source: Mathrubhumi