Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Maharashtra FDA Clarifies Existing Ban On Loose Edible Oil Sales
The Maharashtra FDA says the ban on selling loose cooking oil is not new.
The rule has been in place across India since 2011.
Oil must be sold in sealed and properly labelled packages.
Oil poured from drums or sold in reused tins can be difficult to trace and may be contaminated.
It can also be adulterated or become unsafe.
Maharashtra had temporarily allowed an exemption until 2020, but that permission was not permanent.
Officials found several oil samples that did not meet safety or quality standards.
Consumers should buy sealed oil and check its label, batch number and expiry information.
Maharashtra’s ban on selling loose edible oil has applied nationwide since 2011, the FDA said.
Edible oil must be sold in sealed, tamper-proof and fully labelled packaging.
Authorities collected 1,247 samples in 2025-26; 77 were substandard, 13 unsafe and 15 misbranded.
Officials seized about 3.20 lakh kilograms of oil worth approximately ₹5.31 crore.
Consumers were urged to buy sealed oil, check labels and retain purchase receipts.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, led in the clarification by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, and edible-oil sellers and consumers.
- What
- The FDA clarified and enforced the existing prohibition on selling loose or unpackaged edible oil.
- When
- The provision has applied since 2011; enforcement data cited covers 2025-26, and Maharashtra’s exemption lasted until 2020.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra and India; the report specifically mentions Nashik and Beed, as well as comparable restrictions in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To reduce risks from adulteration, contamination, rancidity, untraceable products and the inability to recall defective oil.
- Legal basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and associated regulations
- National implementation
- The requirement for sealed, labelled edible oil has been in force across the country since 2011.
- Samples collected
- 1,247 edible-oil samples during 2025-26
- Adverse findings
- 77 samples were substandard, 13 unsafe and 15 misbranded
- Seized stock
- Approximately 3.20 lakh kg of oil valued at roughly ₹5.31 crore
- Beed seizure
- Loose oil worth approximately ₹1.14 crore was confiscated in Beed district.
- Consumer complaints
- complaints.mahafda.in; 1800 222 365 or 1800 112 2100