Edible oils and oilseeds traders are hoping the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India withdraws the mandatory ‘Agmark’ notification in vogue for blended vegetable oils and half a dozen other commodities.
In a response to the FSSAI calling for feedback from traders if Agmark certification needs to be continued in the backdrop of the food safety standards kicking in, the Madurai Oil & Oilseeds Association, has responded that the certification is not needed as it does not add value to consumers.
It is only the FSSAI certification and forms that are enforced and Agmark is only a pointer to grade for blended vegetable oils. If any action is needed on quality standards of a product the Food Safety Act is relevant and all further action are based on this law.
V Krishnamoorthy, Past Secretary of the Association, said that Agmark certification only encourages ‘rent seeking’ and provides for complicated paper work. Oil manufacturers end up paying lakhs of rupees depending on the size of business.
Apart from commercial use, blended vegetable oils — usually palm oil or palmolein mixed with groundnut oil or sesame oil — are sold in rural markets. The public may not always be aware that it is blended oil containing very little groundnut or sesame oil, he said.
Agmark certification should also be withdrawn for fat spread, Carbia callosa and honey dew, kangra tea, Til oil and ghee with less Reichert value. Self certification should be introduced for all these products including blended vegetable oils, the Association has represented.