In a bid to bring clarity over the repeated use of cooking oils, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed that vegetable oils whose total polar compounds (TPC) are in excess of 25 per cent cannot be used by the food business operators (FBOs) for the purpose of frying.

The draft notification issued by the regulator stated that the following details be included under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, under Schedule 4, Part V, Clause II, Sub-clause 3(j). However, vegetable oil having over 25 per cent TPC cannot be used.

Several food inspectors received complaints last year regarding repeated use of the cooking oils by the FBOs, which prompted FSSAI to take further action in this regard. Further, to streamline the standards for cooking oils, the regulator observed that the regulations had no particular provisions to limit the use of cooking oils.

J P Singh, food safety officer (FSO), Uttar Pradesh, said, “The notification was released just three months after the concerns over the repeated usage of cooking oils were reported by FSOs to the FSSAI. This shows the speed at which the Centre is addressing issues. On studying the detailed analysis of the cooking oils, the prescribed limit was shared with the industry for their comments and suggestions.”

Meanwhile, the regulator has directed FSOs not to draw samples to test the oils till the limits are prescribed by it. Also, the regulation to impose limits on the reuse of the cooking oils, considering the TPC of the used oil, clearly states that the regulator has clarified its intention to build the legal infrastructure to ensure safe food for all.

Moreover, biodiesel manufacturers are keen to develop a parallel legislation, which will address the concerns regarding the repeated use of cooking oils by making use of the used cooking oils from the hotels and restaurants as their raw material to manufacture biodiesel. The hotels and restaurants have welcomed this move and has responded positively in this regard.