PANAJI
The State government has notified the Used Cooking Oil (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.
Approved by the Cabinet last month, 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.
Under the policy, food business operators must ensure that cooking oil does not exceed the 25 per cent Total Polar Compounds (TPC) limit prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, will conduct risk-based inspections using handheld TPC meters, with inspection findings uploaded to a central digital dashboard.
A key feature is a QR code-based traceability mechanism linking restaurants and other UCO generators with authorised aggregators. Every collection will generate a geo-tagged e-receipt, enabling authorities to reconcile the quantity of oil handed over with that received by aggregators. Any discrepancy in the supply chain will be flagged for audit.
To encourage compliance, the government will introduce a “Freshly Fried” recognition programme. Establishments consistently meeting TPC norms and regularly sending used cooking oil for recycling will receive a digital badge. Consumers can scan the QR code displayed at these outlets to access the latest TPC inspection results, recycling status and hygiene rating.
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has been designated as the nodal implementing agency. It will develop and maintain a digital portal for registering UCO generators and aggregators, facilitate the use of recycled cooking oil for biodiesel production in the transport sector, coordinate implementation across departments, and promote the establishment of recycling facilities in the State.
