Maharashtra Grants Loose Edible Oil Traders One Year to Shift to Packaged Sales

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday that traders selling loose edible oil across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, will be given a one-year transition period to shift to selling packaged edible oil in compliance with existing regulations. Enforcement action against the sale of loose oil will remain suspended during this one-year period.

The decision was taken during a meeting with edible oil traders, which was also attended by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) chief Tukaram Mundhe. At the meeting, it was resolved that a joint committee comprising FDA officials and trade representatives will be established to provide guidance and suggest necessary measures for the transition.

Two specific committees will be constituted under this framework. One committee will examine the challenges faced by traditional businessmen and recommend legal adjustments, while the other will work on establishing the required infrastructure and facilities. The committees have been tasked with submitting a report to the state government within one month.

Fadnavis stated that the state government will extend support to the traders throughout the process, providing facilities, grants, and subsidies to facilitate the transition to packaged oil sales.

The announcement follows discussions last week where the Chief Minister advocated for a middle ground regarding the enforcement of the loose edible oil ban and indicated that standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be established. Although the FDA had initially stated the following day that the ban was non-negotiable, that statement was subsequently withdrawn.

According to official data, there are currently 2,103 licensed edible oil traders operating in the state. Among them, 370 traders hold licences to sell edible oil through repackaging, while 489 are licensed to manufacture it.