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Edible oil traders oppose Maharashtra FDA order
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The All-India Edible Oil Traders Federation and the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have voiced strong opposition to a recent order issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that prohibits the sale of unpackaged/loose edible oil and bans the reuse of old tins.
Shankar Thakkar, president of the All-India Edible Oil Traders Federation opposed the move and criticised the severity of the punishment. Thakkar said that under the new directive, violators face stringent penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines reaching Rs 10 lakh.
He questioned the need for state-specific regulations when statutory frameworks established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) already govern the industry nationally.
Thakkar expressed concern that strict penalties could disrupt traditional distribution networks and run counter to ease-of-doing-business initiatives, while raising prices for lower-income consumers.
Thakkar noted that edible oil prices have surged by over 20 per cent in the past three months, while sugar prices have increased by up to 40 per cent over the last month. And this forced packaging adds processing and material costs, making small quantities harder to afford for daily-wage earners.
Tarun Jain, general secretary of the Federation, emphasised that while the trade body fully supports strict hygiene and quality enforcement, policies must account for low-income households needing to purchase smaller, unpackaged quantities within daily budgets.
The Federation also raised concerns regarding packaging materials, noting that tinplate imports rely on foreign exchange, whereas petroleum-based plastics raise environmental and health considerations.
Trade leaders called on authorities to re-evaluate the order to ensure affordability and supply continuity for consumers.
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