PANAJI
As Goa gears up for implementation of State specific Used Cooking Oil (UCO) policy, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned that fluctuating purchase prices and the absence of a stringent enforcement mechanism could lead to the oil being diverted for unauthorised use. It has flagged similar loopholes in the operation of the national policy implemented in the State way back in 2018.
In its submissions dated October 8 to the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), the FDA has called for a fixed price slab for used cooking oil, mandatory registration of all collectors and their agents, online tracking of collections, penalties for violations and incentives for food business operators (FBOs) that comply with the policy.
The State government in August notified the UCO Policy, creating a structured framework for the collection, monitoring and recycling of used cooking oil to prevent its reuse in food and promote its conversion into biodiesel. The policy seeks to stop used cooking oil from re-entering the food chain, strengthen food safety standards, reduce environmental pollution and establish a transparent collection and recycling ecosystem through a digital traceability system.
Pointing out that some aggregators offer unusually high prices to establish business relationships with food establishments, the FDA said that the biodiesel production from such expensive raw material economically unviable. This, it cautioned, raises concerns about the possibility of the collected oil being diverted for unauthorised uses.
To address this, the FDA has proposed fixing a price slab based on prevailing biodiesel market rates and manufacturing costs. It said the measure would help prevent collectors from exploiting the existing system to redirect used cooking oil to unapproved channels.
The department has also stressed the need to bring every collector and agent under a mandatory registration system, with no individual or entity permitted to collect used cooking oil without registration under the scheme.
It has further proposed an online record-keeping system, supported by a dashboard accessible to food business operators, collectors, authorities and biodiesel manufacturers. The system would enable authorities to track the volume of oil collected and improve transparency in the disposal chain.
On enforcement, the FDA has called for statutory penalties against food business operators and collection agents who fail to comply with the policy. It has cautioned that compliance would be difficult to secure without a legal mandate and has recommended strict penalties, including police action, against unauthorised collectors.
Alongside stricter enforcement, the FDA has suggested a reward mechanism to encourage participation. This could include special recognition, accreditation certificates or a 50 per cent concession on statutory licence fees for food business operators making significant contributions to the initiative.
