AreaIndia
Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals
CommodityVegetable oils
Date01/03/2018
Policy CategoryOther
Policy InstrumentFood standards & food safety policies
DescriptionBanned 28 brands of edible oil in Kerala State, based on probes showing adulteration of coconut oil, and earmarkedfunds for systematic analysis of edible oils.
NotesIn India, the Government of Kerala State banned 28 brands of edible oil based on probes showing that coconut oil bottled in Tamil Nadu had been adulterated with other, unspecified vegetable oils. Adulteration of coconut oil with cheaper produce is widely practiced in times of scarce coconut oil supplies (see also MPPU June & July16). To address the problem, Keralas authorities plan to analyze edible oils systematically. Funds have been earmarked for setting up local laboratories, including mobile food testing units. On a related note, a coconut oil manufacturer in Kerala has launched officially certified coconut oil blends, allegedly guaranteeing both product safety and affordable prices. Reportedly, the blends containing either sunflower oil or palm olein are sold at, respectively, INR 126 and INR 105 per liter (USD 1.94 and 1.61), which compares to prices of over INR 200 (USD 3.07) for unmixed coconut oil.
