Kozhikode: Rebranding of sub-standard coconut oil brands, which were banned by the food safety authority, is giving headache to the food safety authorities in the state. Many banned coconut oil brands are now being sold in the market under new brand names. Adulterated coconut oil reaches the market mainly from Tamil Nadu and other states. Some mills in Palakkad and Malappuram districts also engage in adulteration of coconut oil.
“Our continuous efforts have succeeded in reducing the presence of sub-standard coconut oil in the market in Kozhikode,” said assistant food safety commissioner P K Eliyamma. All oil mills in Kozhikode, which were engaged in the packing and sale of sub-standard coconut oil, were closed down after detailed inspection, she said.
However, lack of proper mechanism to shut the coconut oil units in neighbouring states is a major concern. Recently, the district food safety officials banned Soorya and Ayilyam brands manufactured by Balakumaran Company as the samples were found to be adulterated. They were found to be the replacements for two oil brands — Soubhagya and Surabhi — belonging to the same company, which were banned earlier.
We not only ban the product but also inspect the manufacturers and close down the mill on detecting adulteration, said P Jithin Raj, food safety inspector, Vadakara circle. “We also seize packed and unpacked oils to avoid rebranding,” he said.
The production of low-quality coconut oil was curbed in the district after a special drive in 2017-18. A number of local oil mills were served closure notice and over a dozen oil brands were banned.
Officials said most coconut oil manufactures from other states do not even have oil mills. They directly mix 20% coconut oil with 80% low-quality edible oil and send it to Kerala, the officials said.
The illegal manufactures mix palm oil, palm kernel oil or coconut testa oil with coconut oil.
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