Govt Cracks Down on Edible Oil Firms Over VOPPA Violations

• Show cause notices sent to edible oil companies for VOPPA non-compliance
• Monthly production and stock returns made mandatory under amended order
• Inspections conducted in Haryana and Rajasthan
• More action likely against unregistered and defaulting units

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Feb: The Government of India has intensified regulatory oversight of the edible oil sector by issuing show cause notices to several large edible oil companies for non-compliance with the amended Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability Order (VOPPA) Order, 2025.

The amended VOPPA Order mandates compulsory registration of all manufacturers, processors, blenders and re-packers of edible oils on the National Single Window System and the VOPPA portal, along with mandatory monthly submission of detailed returns on production, stocks and availability.

Under the revised framework, registered entities are required to file monthly data on production, stocks, imports, dispatches, sales and consumption of crude and refined vegetable oils, solvent-extracted oils, blended oils, vanaspati, margarine and other notified products. The objective is to improve transparency, enable data-driven policymaking and strengthen national food security.

As part of a nationwide compliance drive, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has conducted inspection drives in key edible oil hubs, including Karnal in Haryana and Jaipur in Rajasthan. The inspections focused on verifying NSWS and VOPPA registrations, checking the accuracy and timeliness of monthly returns, and engaging with industry stakeholders to encourage compliance.

To support industry adherence, the Department has also launched capacity-building initiatives. A workshop was held on January 30, 2026, at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur to guide stakeholders on data reporting, NSWS registration and timely filing of returns. Similar workshops are planned in other states, with the next awareness programme scheduled for February 16, 2026, in Rajkot, Gujarat.

Based on inspection findings and subsequent reviews, the Department has issued show cause notices to companies that failed to submit mandatory monthly production returns despite repeated reminders. Such lapses constitute a violation of the VOPPA Order, 2025, issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The companies have been given seven days to explain why action should not be initiated against them. The Department has warned that under Sections 6A and 6B of the Act, contraventions could lead to inspection, seizure and confiscation after due process. It also clarified that similar notices will be issued to all non-registered or non-compliant units to ensure uniform enforcement across the sector.

Reiterating its stance, the government said inspection drives will continue as required and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and strict compliance in the edible oil sector to safeguard consumer interest and national food security.