NHRC on ‘widespread reuse of cooking oil’

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Union Health Ministry and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over a complaint raising concerns on alleged “widespread reuse of cooking oil” in the country.
NHRC directed a probe into the allegations and the furnishing of a state-wise report according to the proceedings of the case. It asked to submit an action taken report within two weeks.
The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be “violations” of the human rights of the victims, reads the proceedings, dated October 22. The complainant, founder of Sarthak Samudayik Vikas Evam Jan Kalyan Sanstha, raised “serious concerns about the widespread reuse of cooking oil in India”.
He pointed out that despite FSSAI’s ‘RUCO – Repurpose Used Cooking Oil’ campaign and policies promoting bio-diesel at the ground level, small hotels, roadside eateries and food vendors allegedly “repeatedly reuse or resell used cooking oil, which poses severe public health risks, including cancer, heart diseases and liver disorders.”
Additionally, discarded oil contaminates water and soil, causing environmental pollution, reads the proceedings. The complainant sought urgent intervention of the Commission and to direct enforcement agencies to “strictly implement” regulations. A bench of the NHRC, presided by its member Priyank Kanoongo has taken cognisance of the complaint.