Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 23: The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) wing of Karnataka's Health Department has collected 4.587 million litres (45.87 lakh litres) of used cooking oil under the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) scheme between 2024 and 2026, as part of a major drive to curb the dangerous practice of reusing cooking oil.
During the period, authorities also cracked down on food businesses violating safety norms, imposing fines amounting to Rs 2.891 million (Rs 28.91 lac).
Under the RUCO initiative, the used cooking oil collected from food establishments is diverted for the manufacture of biodiesel and soap, ensuring that it is not recycled back into the food chain.
The health department has stepped up enforcement against the repeated reuse of cooking oil after studies showed that reheating oil multiple times significantly increases its trans fat content, raising the risk of a range of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
Experts have warned that many hotels, restaurants and cafés continue to use the same batch of oil repeatedly in a bid to cut operating costs, a practice that could have severe consequences for consumers.
Repeatedly heating and reusing cooking oil can increase its trans fat content by three to four times, making it "extremely dangerous", according to Dr Vishal Rao, a member of the Karnataka Cancer Prevention Committee.
The Health Department has directed hotel and bakery owners not to reuse cooking oil and to ensure they use only cooking oils containing less than 2% trans fat.
India has already mandated the use of cooking oils with less than 2% industrial trans fat nationwide. However, Karnataka is aiming to go a step further by promoting the use of trans fat-free cooking oil and food, a senior Health Department official said.
Heart disease among major risks
As part of its efforts to encourage healthier food practices, the state has trained more than 52,000 food industry professionals, including staff working in some of Karnataka's leading bakeries and cafés.
"Consumption of trans fats first leads to heart-related diseases. Over time, it can also contribute to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as fatty liver disease," Dr Vishal Rao said.
The FDA said it is intensifying surveillance, scientific regulation, capacity building and legal enforcement to eliminate industrially produced trans fats from the food supply.
India has already adopted stringent standards limiting industrial trans fats to below 2%. The Karnataka FDA said compliance with these regulations would be strengthened across every stage of the food supply chain through enhanced monitoring, laboratory testing, risk-based inspections and continuous enforcement.
To raise awareness about eliminating industrial trans fats, the FDA recently organised a state-level sensitisation programme, bringing together stakeholders to promote compliance with food safety standards and reinforce the health risks associated with trans fat consumption.