SDC Foundation, in collaboration with officials from the Food Safety & Drugs Administration, Government of Uttarakhand, conducted a three-day awareness campaign for the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Mission for Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Dehradun. The objective was to sensitise the outlets to follow environmentally safe disposal practices for used cooking oil. Over 20 FBOs participated in the campaign.
During frying, several properties of oil are altered, causing Total Polar Compounds (TPC) to form, especially when repeatedly frying with the same oil. The toxicity of these compounds is associated with several diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, liver diseases. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the quality of vegetable oils during frying. In order to safeguard consumer health, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has fixed a limit for Total Polar Compounds at 25 percent beyond which the vegetable oil shall not be used.
From July 1st 2018 onwards, all FBOs are required to monitor the quality of oil during frying by complying with the said regulations. FSSAI is implementing an EEE Strategy of education, enforcement and ecosystem to divert Used Cooking Oil from the food value chain and curb current illegal practices. The EEE Strategy approach ensures good health and welfare for all 140-crore Indian citizens, aiding energy security, climate change mitigation, and leading to environmentally sustainable development.
The education campaign was led by Mr. GC Kandwal, Deputy Commissioner & Nodal Officer (RUCO) Uttarakhand and Mr. PC Joshi, Dehradun District Food Officer. Pyare Lal and Praveen Upreti from SDC Foundation coordinated the overall campaign.
