Karnataka collects 46 lakh litres used cooking oil in 2 years, steps up checks
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
Karnataka's food safety department has intensified its crackdown on reused cooking oil and trans fats, collecting nearly 46 lakh litres of used cooking oil between 2024 and 2026. This highlights the state's efforts under the RUCO initiative to prevent used oil from re-entering the food chain and promote biodiesel production.
Background
Repeated use of cooking oil leads to formation of trans fats and harmful compounds. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative to collect and convert used oil into biodiesel. Karnataka has been actively implementing this.
Key facts
Karnataka collected 45.9 lakh litres of used cooking oil between 2024 and 2026 through four FSSAI-recognised agencies.
Used oil is procured from food businesses and supplied to authorised biodiesel manufacturers under the RUCO initiative.
Over 52,000 food business professionals have been trained on safe food practices.
Penalties amounting to Rs 28.9 lakh have been imposed for violations.
Inspections use a Total Polar Compounds (TPC) meter; oil with TPC >25% is unsafe and must be discarded.
TPC meter costs Rs 30,000-50,000 and measures degradation of frying oil.
Households advised to avoid reusing oil more than 2-3 times and discard if it darkens.
State plans to expand risk-based inspections, lab testing, and enforcement to eliminate industrially produced trans fats.
Prelims pointers
- RUCO: Repurpose Used Cooking Oil initiative by FSSAI
- Total Polar Compounds (TPC) meter: device to check oil quality
- TPC >25%: unsafe for consumption
- FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- Biodiesel: alternative fuel from used cooking oil
- Trans fats: industrially produced, harmful to health
Mains angles
- Discuss the health hazards of reused cooking oil and trans fats, and evaluate government initiatives like RUCO.
- Examine the role of food safety regulations in preventing adulteration and promoting public health.
- Analyze the economic and environmental benefits of converting used cooking oil into biodiesel.