The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, (MoAFW) on March 15, 2023, published the draft Vegetable Oils Grading and Marking (Amendment) Rules, 2023 to further amend the Vegetable Oils Grading and Marking Rules, 1955
These Draft rules shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of forty-five days from the date on which the copies of the Gazette of India containing this notification are made available to the public.
The following have been amended namely: -
• Rule 10 which states “Vegetable Oils shall comply with the restrictions in regard to residual levels of heavy metals, insecticides, and pesticides, crop contaminants, naturally occurring toxic substances and other food safety requirements as prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955” The following shall be substituted namely: -
“10 (A) Vegetable Oils for domestic trade, shall comply with the restrictions in regard to residual levels of metal contaminants, pesticides residues, microbial requirements, crop contaminants, naturally occurring toxic substances and other food safety requirements as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulations, 2011, Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, and other regulations made for domestic trade under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006).
10 (B) Vegetable Oils for export trade, shall comply with the residual limits of heavy metals, pesticides, and other food safety requirements as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission or importing countries’ requirement for export.”
• Addition of new rules - After Rule 11 which states “result of the test for Argemone oil and Animal fat shall be negative in all vegetable oils specified in these rules” the following shall be added namely: -
“12. Vegetable Oils may be fortified with the micronutrients Vitamin A and Vitamin D at the level of nutrients prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018.
13. Vegetable Oils may contain permitted anti-oxidants, and food additives, in the concentration as specified under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives), Regulations 2011.
14. The vegetable oils covered under these rules shall comply with the fatty acid composition of the oils as per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives), Regulations 2011."
Objections or suggestions which may be received from any person with respect to the said draft rules before the expiry of the period of forty-five days will be taken into consideration by the Central Government.
Objections/suggestions, if any, may be forwarded, to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser of the Government of India, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Head Office, CGO Complex, NH - IV, Faridabad (Haryana) 121001.
Disclaimer: please refer to the document to view further amendments in detail
[Notification No. G.S.R. 192(E)]
