16,565 liters of suspicious coconut oil seized in lightning raid; adulterated oil also found

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Food Safety Department conducted a lightning inspection of coconut oil production and marketing centres in Kerala as part of Operation Life. 16,565 litres of suspicious coconut oil were seized from seven districts. Minister Veena George informed that the inspections were tightened after receiving complaints about the quality of coconut oil in the wake of the increase in the price of coconut oil.

The maximum amount of fake coconut oil was seized from Kollam. 9337 liters of coconut oil, including 5800 liters of Kera Surya and Kera Haritham brand coconut oil, packed and prepared for sale under a fake FSSAI number and address, were seized.

2480 liters of substandard Hari Geetham coconut oil were seized from an establishment operating in Mannarasala and 6530 liters of fake coconut oil from Alappuzha. In addition to Kollam and Alappuzha districts, inspections were conducted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. 11 statutory samples and 20 surveillance samples were collected. The inspections were conducted by special squads led by Assistant Food Safety Commissioners of various districts. Complaints regarding the quality of coconut oil can be reported to the toll-free number 1800 425 1125.