The Government of India has intensified regulatory enforcement in the edible oil sector, issuing Show Cause Notices to select edible oil companies for non-compliance with the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Amendment Order, 2025 (VOPPA Order, 2025). The action follows repeated failures by certain entities to submit mandatory monthly production and stock returns, despite multiple reminders.
Amended VOPPA Order Strengthens Regulatory Oversight
The VOPPA Order, 2025 mandates compulsory registration of all manufacturers, processors, blenders, and re-packers of edible oils on the National Single Window System (NSWS) and the VOPPA portal. In addition, all registered entities are required to submit monthly detailed returns capturing production, stocks, imports, dispatches, sales, and consumption.
The reporting framework covers a wide range of products, including:
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Crude and refined vegetable oils
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Solvent-extracted oils
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Blended edible oils
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Vanaspati and margarine
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Other notified oil products
The objective is to enhance transparency, enable data-driven policymaking, and strengthen national food security through real-time monitoring of availability and supply chains.
DFPD Conducts Nationwide Inspection Drives
As part of a nationwide compliance drive, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has undertaken inspection drives at multiple locations, including Karnal (Haryana) and Jaipur (Rajasthan).
These inspections focused on:
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Verification of NSWS and VOPPA registrations
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Accuracy and timeliness of monthly return filings
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Engagement with industry stakeholders to encourage compliance
The inspections form part of a broader strategy to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement across the edible oil value chain.
Capacity-Building and Industry Outreach
Alongside enforcement measures, the Department has emphasized capacity-building to facilitate compliance. A dedicated workshop was organised on 30 January 2026 at RIC, Jaipur, focusing on:
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Accurate data reporting practices
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NSWS registration processes
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Use of the VOPPA portal
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Timely filing of mandatory returns
Similar workshops are planned across other major States. In continuation of this initiative, the third awareness workshop is proposed on 16 February 2026 at Rajkot, Gujarat, a key hub for edible oil processing units.
Show Cause Notices Issued Under Essential Commodities Act
Based on inspection findings and subsequent reviews, the Department has issued Show Cause Notices to a few large edible oil companies for failing to submit mandatory monthly production returns, despite repeated email and telephonic reminders.
Such lapses constitute a contravention of the VOPPA Order, 2025, issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The concerned entities have been informed that:
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Under Section 6A, inspection and confiscation proceedings may be initiated in cases of non-compliance
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Under Section 6B, entities are entitled to a reasonable opportunity to be heard before any confiscation order is passed
Accordingly, the companies have been granted seven days to submit written explanations as to why action should not be initiated against them.
Uniform Enforcement Across the Sector
The Department has clarified that similar Show Cause Notices will be issued to all units that are either:
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Not registered under the VOPPA framework, or
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Have failed to file mandatory monthly returns
Inspection drives will continue on a need basis across edible oil processing units to ensure uniform compliance and prevent regulatory evasion.
Conclusion
The Government’s latest action underscores its firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and strict regulatory compliance in the edible oil sector. By combining enforcement with capacity-building, the authorities aim to strengthen supply-chain visibility, support effective policy formulation, and safeguard national food security in an increasingly sensitive commodity segment.
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Source: PIB
