FDA seizes 523 kg of 'Milan' refined soyabean oil from Nagpur store, suspends licence

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken major action in Nagpur, keeping watch on the quality of food sold in the market during the festive season. In the action, 523.40 kg of refined soyabean oil was seized from Raj Oil Stores in the city. The seized oil is said to be worth Rs 83,744. The FDA has also suspended the shop's licence.

During the FDA inspection, doubts were raised about the quality of the refined soyabean oil available at Raj Oil Stores. It also emerged that mandatory labelling rules for food products had been violated. However, whether the oil is substandard or unsafe will be confirmed only after the test report arrives. For now, there is only suspicion, and it will be settled only after the report.

A photograph of the packaging that is available shows a reference to 'Milan' refined soyabean oil, packed by Raj Oil Stores and sold in the market. The packing also carries a printed net weight of 15 kg. With a total of 523.40 kg of refined soyabean oil stock seized from Raj Oil Stores, questions have now arisen about this product and its quality.

The FDA ran a special inspection drive across the state over the past two days. In Nagpur, besides Raj Oil Stores, action was also taken at Shri Sawariya Foods Private Limited on Bhandara Road. A total of 1,998 kg of semolina (rava), refined flour (maida), wheat flour (atta) and gram flour (besan) was seized there. Its value is said to be Rs 1,41,440. The licences of both establishments in Nagpur have been suspended.

The drive was not limited to Nagpur. In Murtizapur, in the Akola division, the licences of Mahalaxmi Gruh Udyog and Gajanan Bikaner were suspended. In Amravati, 107 kg of food items were seized from Maa Bhagwati Mithai and Faral Karkhana. Unauthorised colour was suspected in the sev there, and the establishment was then made to stop operating.

The case has again raised questions about the quality of edible oil and other items sold in the market during festivals. Consumers buying edible oil should therefore check the brand, packing date, batch number, FSSAI licence details and other mandatory information.

Attention will now be on what the quality test of the oil seized from Raj Oil Stores shows and what further action the FDA takes.