Kathmandu, September 20
The government is preparing to enforce stricter rules on the production, packaging and distribution of edible oils in Nepal, with a focus on quality, purity and consumer health. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has prepared the final draft of new quality standards for mustard, soybean and sunflower oils.
The new standards clearly classify edible oils into those suitable for direct consumption and those that are not. They also prohibit misleading advertisements and the reuse of previously used containers.
Mustard oil
The department’s technical committee has prepared specifications for mustard oil under Nepal Standard 03:2035 (Second Amendment: 2083). Under the standard, mustard oil is divided into two categories based on the production process: express and solvent-extracted. All oils extracted through the express process — refined, virgin and expeller — as well as refined oil produced through the solvent process, will be considered suitable for direct human consumption.
However, Grade 1 oil produced through the solvent process cannot be consumed directly and must undergo further processing before use. Such oil cannot be sold in consumer packets. Its container must carry the words “Not for direct edible consumption” in English in letters at least 50 millimetres high. In terms of purity, the oil must not contain the harmful weed Argemone mexicana or any other inedible oil. The maximum peroxide value has been set at 10 milliequivalents. Strict limits have also been set for toxic metals, with lead and arsenic capped at 0.1 milligrams per kilogram, cadmium at 1 milligram per kilogram and mercury at 0.25 milligrams per kilogram.
Soybean oil
The department has prepared new standards for soybean oil under Nepal Standard 103:2042 (First Amendment: 2083). Under the new provision, soybean oil extracted through the solvent extraction process will be classified as refined, degummed and Grade 1. Only refined oil will be considered suitable for direct consumption.
Degummed and Grade 1 oils are considered raw materials for producing vegetable ghee or refined oil and therefore cannot be sold in retail packets. Their containers must also carry a warning in letters at least 50 millimetres high stating that the oil is not intended for direct consumption. The oil must be extracted only from healthy soybeans of the Glycine max species of the Leguminosae family. Aflatoxin content must not exceed 30 micrograms per kilogram. For refined oil, the limit for hexane has been set at 5 ppm and phosphorus at a maximum of 12 ppm.
Sunflower oil
The department has prepared a draft first amendment to regulate the quality of sunflower oil. Sunflower oil has also been divided into express and solvent-extracted categories. Refined oils from both processes and Grade 1 oil produced through the express process will be considered suitable for direct consumption.
However, Grade 1 oil produced through the solvent extraction process cannot be consumed directly and cannot be sold in consumer packets. Its container must carry a warning against direct consumption in large letters using indelible ink. The oil must be free from artificial colours and flavours. Its peroxide value must not exceed 10, while aflatoxin content must be below 30 micrograms per kilogram. Strict limits on toxic metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, will also apply.
Restrictions on misleading advertising and reuse of containers
One of the key aspects of the new standards is stricter regulation of advertising and packaging. Producers will no longer be allowed to use misleading or exaggerated terms on oil packets or in advertisements. The use of terms such as super-refined, extra-refined, micro-refined, double-refined, ultra-refined, anti-cholesterol, cholesterol fighter, heart soothing, cholesterol friendly and saturated fat free will be completely prohibited.
Similarly, only Nepal Standard-certified tins or plastic containers can be used for packaging. The reuse of previously used tins or plastic containers for packaging edible oil will be completely prohibited in the interest of public health. The manufacturer’s name and address, batch number, month or year of production and net weight must be clearly displayed in English or Nepali on the outside of the container.
Only producers meeting the standards will be allowed to use the Nepal Standard certification mark. The department expects the new scientific and stringent standards to help ensure the purity of edible oils available in the Nepali market and play an important role in protecting consumers’ health.
