Gujarat High Court Issues Notice on PIL Over Sale of Edible Oil in Reused Containers

The Gujarat High Court in All India Consumer Protection and Action Committee v. Union of India & Ors. has issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) raising concerns over the sale of edible oil packed in reused tin containers, calling it a serious risk to public health and safety.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray sought responses from the Union Government and the Gujarat Government on the issue.

The PIL was filed by a consumer protection organisation, which pointed out that edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, and grapeseed oil are widely used in Gujarat. Among these, cottonseed oil accounts for nearly 80% of the total edible oil consumption in the State.

The petition stated that around 2 million tonnes of edible oil are consumed annually in Gujarat and that oil is a basic household cooking requirement. Given its daily use, the petitioner stressed the need for strict safety and packaging standards to protect public health.

According to the PIL, many sellers collect discarded tin containers that were earlier used by consumers. These containers are then refilled with edible oil and sold again in the open market under different brand names. Such reused containers may carry harmful residues, making the oil unsafe for consumption.

The petitioner highlighted that this practice has been strictly prohibited by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). A notification issued on August 1, 2011, under Sections 92 and 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, clearly bans the sale of edible oil in reused tin or plastic containers.

It was further pointed out that the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 impose a complete prohibition on selling edible oil in pre-used containers.

Photographs submitted along with the PIL showed that despite the legal ban, such illegal packaging and sale of edible oil continues across the State, posing a serious threat to citizens’ lives.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on January 22, 2026.