THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The food safety department has banned nine brands of packaged coconut oil after tests conducted revealed that they were adulterated with palm oil and palm kernel oil.
The brands are Kera Plus, Green Kerala, Kerala A-one, Kera Super, Kera drops, Blaze, Pulari, Coco Sudham and Kallada Priyam. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has tested the samples after criticism on the low quality of these brands and recommended the intervention of the food safety department.
The food safety commissionerate has invoked Section 36 (3)(b) to prohibit sale of the adulterated brands and food safety commissioner T V Anupama said action will be taken soon. "There were several complaints against sale of substandard packaged coconut oil. Some were sold at half the price. While the original price is Rs 120 per packet, some brands were sold at Rs 50. Following several complaints, CDB conducted tests and recommended action," a food safety official said.
Sale of a banned product can invite a fine of Rs 2 lakh. If the sale is found to be a purposeful violation of order, the department will initiate criminal prosecution.
The department had in 2012 banned sale of three brands of adulterated milk in 2012.
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