Karnataka Targets Trans Fat Reduction in Cooking Oils

Swift Summary

• The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Governance focuses on reducing trans fat in cooking oil to improve public health.
• A video conference led by the Commissioner was held with various stakeholders, including district officials, hotel and bakery associations, RUCO agency heads, and bio-diesel development board members.
• The Commissioner directed strict hygiene in production, adherence to FSSAI labelling norms, mandatory fortification with Vitamin A and D.
• Manufacturers were advised to conduct oil quality analysis every six months for compliance.
• U.S. Vishal Rao stressed the link between trans fats and non-communicable diseases like heart disease and cancer, urging healthier practices among manufacturers.
• RUCO agencies reported collecting 32.68 lakh litres of used cooking oil during 2024-2026; they were urged to ramp up efforts in collection for bio-diesel processing purposes.
• Measures were instructed to prevent reuse of used cooking oil by ensuring it is handed over to registered RUCO agencies.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Karnataka Food Safety Authority’s initiative marks a significant step towards addressing public health risks related to trans fats while promoting sustainability through responsible disposal of used cooking oils. By mandating fortification with essential vitamins alongside regular quality checks, the administration aims not only at consumer health but also broader industry accountability. The crackdown on reused oils further highlights government-led efforts against unsafe food practices that can exacerbate non-communicable diseases.

RUCO’s growing role reflects a positive shift toward repurposing waste into biodiesel-an environmentally-conscious approach-but scaling its operations remains an evident challenge considering reported volumes collected so far compared against potential state-wide waste generation. Sustained collaboration between all stakeholders will be key in fostering safer consumption patterns across industries while minimizing ecological footprints.Read More