Bengaluru: A total of 32.69 lakh litres of used cooking oil were collected across Karnataka during the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26 and redirected to biodiesel manufacturing units as part of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative, officials said on Thursday, reports The Week.
The update was shared during a video conference held on July 30, chaired by the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration in Bengaluru, according to a statement from the department.
During the meeting, RUCO agency representatives were urged to intensify their collection efforts and ensure that used oil is sent to biodiesel facilities rather than being reused in kitchens. Hotel and bakery owners were firmly warned against reusing cooking oil and instructed to hand over their used oil to registered RUCO agencies.
Business owners were also advised to have their cooking oils tested at least once every six months to ensure safety standards are met.
The RUCO initiative is aimed at preventing the reuse of cooking oil in food preparation and promoting its safe disposal by converting it into biodiesel. The meeting also emphasized the importance of reducing trans-fat in cooking oil, improving hygiene, and ensuring proper practices in oil packaging, labelling, and fortification.
District officials, food business operators, hotel and bakery association members, RUCO agency owners, and representatives from the Karnataka State Bio-Diesel Development Board were present at the meeting.
The Commissioner directed all edible oil manufacturers to maintain hygiene, follow proper labelling guidelines under FSSAI norms, and ensure that all oils sold are fortified with Vitamins A and D.
