New Delhi: Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board (KSBDB) chairman S.E. Sudheendra has urged the Centre to introduce a comprehensive national policy to prevent the unauthorised reuse of used cooking oil by hotels, restaurants and other commercial food establishments, citing public health and environmental concerns.
Sudheendra submitted a memorandum to Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai in New Delhi, seeking a regulated system for the collection, transportation and scientific processing of used cooking oil, with a focus on converting it into biodiesel.
Repeatedly heating cooking oil at high temperatures can alter its chemical properties and lead to the formation of potentially harmful compounds, including aldehydes. Regular consumption of food prepared using degraded oil could adversely affect health, Sudheendra said.
Strict checks on commercial establishments
He called for regular inspections, strict enforcement of food safety standards and legal action against establishments that reuse degraded oil or mix it with fresh oil for food preparation.
He also proposed a transparent tracking system to document the collection, transfer and processing of used oil from its source to its final destination.
Improper disposal of used cooking oil into drains, sewage systems and water bodies can cause blockages and pollution, besides increasing maintenance costs. Sudheendra urged the government to treat it as a recyclable resource rather than waste.
He recommended establishing authorised collection centres and licensed collectors to ensure safe transportation of used oil to approved biodiesel plants.
Boost to renewable energy
Used cooking oil can serve as a valuable raw material for biodiesel, helping reduce waste while supporting renewable energy production and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, he said.
Sudheendra also outlined Karnataka’s efforts to develop a biofuel policy and promote biomass-based fuel production under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s leadership. He referred to discussions with ministers U.T. Khader and Eshwar Khandre on coordinating waste management and public health initiatives at the village and gram panchayat levels.
Rai assured Sudheendra that the proposals would be considered. A coordination mechanism involving government departments, food safety authorities, local bodies and state biofuel boards would also be examined.
KSBDB managing director Shivashankar L. and industrialists Sanjay Gabar, Anil Kumar Maurya and Lokesh Gowda attended the meeting.