Health Ministry, FSSAI Notified by NHRC Over Reused Cooking Oil; Why Is It Dangerous for Health?

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Health Ministry and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over a complaint raising concerns about alleged "widespread reuse

of cooking oil" in the country. The commission has also sought a state-wise report according to the proceedings of the case and an action-taken report within two weeks. According to news reports, the complainant from Bhopal has raised "serious concerns about the widespread reuse of cooking oil in India". Despite FSSAI's strict policies that promote bio-diesel at the ground level, hotels, roadside eateries, and food vendors allegedly repeatedly reuse or resell used cooking oil, which leads to severe public health risks, causing deadly diseases like cancer, heart issues, and liver failure. The complainant says this is a human rights issue as it affects public health and has demanded authorised oil purification and reuse centres, along with the launch of awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens about the dangers of reused cooking oil. The PTI has reported that an NHRC bench, presided over by Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognisance of it under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. "The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the chairman, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, New Delhi, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into, and to provide a state-wise report, in the matter," it says.

Why is it dangerous to reuse cooking oil?

Studies say reheating of cooking oil causes the release of toxic substances while increasing free radicals in your body, causing inflammation and various chronic diseases. FSSAI guidelines say the re-heating should be avoided, and in case you have to reuse oil, a maximum of three times is permitted to avoid the formation of trans-fat. “Re-heating and reuse of oil should be avoided as far as possible. Avoid using leftover oil wherever possible. However, vegetable oil having developed Total Polar Compound more than 25 per cent shall not be used,” adds the guidelines further. A few side effects of continuously reheating oil include:

Release of toxic fumes

Every time the oil is reheated, it releases toxic fumes. Doctors say they are given off even before the smoke point is reached, but increase dramatically when the temperature goes above that point. Every time the oil gets reheated, its fat molecules break down, causing it to reach its smoke point earlier than it should and release a bad odour.

Spike in cholesterol levels

At extremely high temperatures, fats in the oil change into trans fats, which are extremely harmful for your heart and body, as they lead to high cholesterol and subsequent risk of heart issues like a heart attack or stroke.

Rise in blood pressure

Reheating of oil also produces reactions like hydrolysis, oxidation, and polymerization – all of which change and modify the chemical composition of the oil. It then releases free fatty acids and radicals that produce monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides, which cause a significant rise in your blood pressure levels.