Adulterated Coconut Oil Supply Increases in Kerela Ahead of Onam

Kerafed, a top-level co-operative federation of coconut farmers in the southern Indian state of Kerela, has raised concern about the quality of Coconut oil and milk sold in the market.

Complaints have been filed with the Commissionerate of the Food Safety Department seeking its intervention to avert the flow of impure coconut oil brought in tankers from Tamil Nadu and other states.

Onam, the harvest festival is near, so the food safety authorities have decided to step up surveillance at check posts to screen the flow of coconut oil and milk from other states.

To control the sale of adulterated coconut oil, the managing director of Kerafed, in a complaint submitted to the food safety department, has urged the department to scale up the investigation and do more quality checking.

Recently,12,750 litres of urea-mixed milk have been seized by the Dairy Development Department

Adulterated coconut oil is being sold in the state by the brand name ‘Kera’. Previously, the Food Safety Department banned around 166 coconut oil brands which were sub-standard and adulterated. Kerafed alleged that adulterated coconut oils are being sold by its brand name at a reduced rate. While Kerafed is selling coconut oil at Rs180, some of the oil brands are selling their product between Rs 30 and Rs 40.

Ahead of Onam, from August 29, the food safety authorities are planning for special drives. Special squads have been formed to ensure the quality of food products sold in the market during Onam. An official of the Food Safety Department said that the squads have collected around 140 surveillance samples so far.