19 hrs ago
Maharashtra Pauses Loose Oil Ban, Gives Traders One-Year Transition
Maharashtra had moved to stop shops from selling edible oil without sealed packaging.
Food safety officials said loose oil can be adulterated and is harder to trace.
They also raised concerns about labels, storage, transportation and packaging.
Traders objected because selling loose oil is part of their traditional work.
They said many poorer consumers buy it because it costs less and in small quantities.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has paused enforcement of the restrictions for one year.
During that time, traders must change their businesses to follow food safety rules.
The government will create two committees and may help provide facilities or other assistance, but traders must comply after the year ends.
Maharashtra has suspended enforcement of restrictions on loose edible oil sales for one year.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said traders must comply with food safety rules after the transition period, with no further extension.
Two committees will study traders’ compliance challenges and infrastructure needs for sellers, manufacturers and repackaging businesses.
The FDA cited adulteration, unsafe packaging, improper storage, transportation and traceability concerns in its enforcement action.
Traders said loose oil is part of traditional businesses and remains more affordable for low-income consumers.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Food and Drug Administration led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, and loose edible oil traders.
- What
- The government granted a one-year exemption from enforcement of restrictions on loose edible oil sales and announced two committees to help address compliance and infrastructure issues.
- Where
- Maharashtra, following a meeting in Mumbai.
- When
- The decision was announced on September 1, 2026; the exemption lasts one year, and the committees must report within one month.
- Why
- The government cited the need to balance food safety enforcement with traders’ livelihoods and the affordability of loose oil for economically weaker consumers.
Government and Food Safety Authorities
Traders and Industry Representatives
Need for restrictions
Government and Food Safety Authorities
The FDA warned that loose or unsealed oil can involve adulteration, unsafe packaging, improper storage and transportation, and is difficult to trace without details such as batch numbers and sources.
Traders and Industry Representatives
Trader representatives disputed that loose oil is necessarily adulterated and said traders should not be blamed for adulteration merely because oil is sold loose.
Effect on businesses
Government and Food Safety Authorities
The government said traders should use the one-year transition period to change their operations and comply with food safety law afterward, with assistance where required.
Traders and Industry Representatives
Traders said the restrictions could harm small and medium businesses, traditional oil sellers and women involved in the trade; some mills had reportedly restarted after the Covid-19 pandemic using loans.
Consumer affordability
Government and Food Safety Authorities
Food quality and compliance with safety regulations remain necessary, even as the government seeks a practical transition.
Traders and Industry Representatives
Traders and Fadnavis acknowledged that economically weaker consumers, including those in rural areas, rely on loose oil because it is more affordable and can be purchased in small quantities.
Key facts
- Exemption period
- One year, with no further extension promised by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- Relevant regulations
- The law regulating loose edible oil sales has been in place since 2011.
- Licensed loose-oil businesses
- Maharashtra has 2,103 licensed loose edible oil traders or businesses.
- Repackaging licences
- 370 businesses hold licences to sell edible oil after repackaging.
- Manufacturing licences
- 489 businesses hold licences for edible oil manufacturing or production.
- Committee work
- One committee will study traditional traders’ difficulties, while the other will examine infrastructure needs for sellers, manufacturers and repackagers.
- Report deadline
- Both committees must consult stakeholders and submit reports within one month.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
“The government does not want to deprive any businessperson of their livelihood. While ensuring compliance with the law, our focus will be on creating the necessary facilities so that traders can conduct their businesses in a better and safer manner. Wherever required, the government will extend support to help them adapt to the changes.”
freepressjournal.in
“Enforcement action against the sale of loose edible oil would be kept in abeyance for one year for the time being. However, there would be no further extension after this period, and compliance with the law would be mandatory.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
Maharashtra Gives Traders 1-Year Relief Over Sale Of Loose Edible Oil
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis’ one-year breather to loose oil traders after FDA ban
Maharashtra Govt Grants 1-Year Exemption From Loose Edible Oil Ban, Forms 2 Committees
Tukaram Mundhe warns, Devendra Fadnavis hits pause: Maharashtra’s loose edible oil crackdown delayed by a year
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