The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), via an order dated 24th July 2025, has extended the provisional enrolment of 63 Non-Food Production (NFP) Units for the collection of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) from Food Business Operators (FBOs) across the country. This move is part of the ongoing RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative a key sustainability and food safety campaign led by FSSAI.
What is the RUCO Initiative?
RUCO stands for Repurpose Used Cooking Oil, an initiative launched by FSSAI to ensure that used cooking oil is safely collected from commercial kitchens and food businesses and diverted into industrial use mainly conversion into biodiesel.
Used Cooking Oil, when reused beyond recommended limits (especially above 25% Total Polar Compounds i.e. harmful substances formed when cooking oil is reused multiple times), becomes unsafe for human consumption. RUCO provides a structured ecosystem that:
- Prevents the reuse of degraded oil in food
- Reduces environmental impact
- Supports the National Bio-Energy Policy by repurposing waste into biofuel
Validity Period of Enrolment
The extension of enrolment for these 63 NFP units is valid up to 31st July 2026, or until a state-level mechanism is established under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notification dated 30.04.2019 [Notification No. P-13039(11)/2018-CCP (P-26825)].
Responsibilities of Enrolled Units
All provisionally approved units must:
- Comply with FSSAI’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and relevant guidelines
- Be open to surprise inspections by regulatory authorities
- Maintain transparency and documentation for traceability
- Risk cancellation of enrolment if found non-compliant or if any falsified information is submitted
Key Stakeholder Implications
- Food Business Operators (FBOs) generating more than 50 litres of UCO per day must ensure that disposal is done only through these authorized collectors, with appropriate records.
- State Food Safety Commissioners and FSSAI Regional Offices are directed to monitor and supervise the implementation of this order.
List of Enrolled Units
A total of 63 NFP Units including biodiesel manufacturers and soap producers across various states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh have been provisionally authorized for UCO collection.
Why This Matters
This initiative not only strengthens food safety but also supports India’s sustainability goals by creating a circular economy for used oils. It bridges the gap between public health and environmental protection, aligning with Eat Right India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Biofuel adoption targets.
To read the full notification, Click here.
Download myFssai to get instant FSSAI updates!