Government Issues Show Cause Notices to Edible Oil Firms for Violating Amended VOPPA Order
Reiterating its stance, the government said it remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and strict compliance in the edible oil sector in the interest of effective policy formulation and national food security.
New Delhi: The government has issued show cause notices to several large edible oil companies for non-compliance with the amended Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2025, tightening regulatory oversight across the edible oil value chain.
According to an official statement, the amended VOPPA Order, 2025 mandates compulsory registration of all manufacturers, processors, blenders and re-packers of edible oils on the National Single Window System and the dedicated VOPPA portal. It also requires monthly submission of detailed returns on production, stocks and availability to enable transparent, data-driven monitoring of the sector.
The revised framework covers mandatory monthly reporting of production, stocks, imports, dispatches, sales and consumption of a wide range of edible oil products, including crude and refined vegetable oils, solvent-extracted oils, blended oils, vanaspati, margarine and other notified products. The government said this mechanism is aimed at strengthening national food security and supporting informed policy planning.
As part of a nationwide compliance drive, the Department of Food and Public Distribution has conducted inspection drives at multiple locations, including Indore, to verify registration under the VOPPA framework and the accuracy and timeliness of monthly returns. Officials have also engaged with industry stakeholders to promote compliance as part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and effective monitoring of the edible oil sector.
Alongside enforcement action, the department has undertaken capacity-building initiatives. A national workshop was organised in Indore in November 2025 to familiarise industry participants with accurate data reporting, NSWS registration, use of the VOPPA portal and timely filing of returns. Similar workshops are planned in other major states.
Based on inspection findings and subsequent reviews, show cause notices have been issued to some large edible oil companies for failing to submit mandatory monthly production returns despite repeated reminders through emails and telephonic communications. The government said such lapses constitute a contravention of the VOPPA Order, 2025, which has been issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The department has informed the concerned entities that under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act, action including inspection and confiscation may be initiated in cases of violation. Under Section 6B of the Act, however, a reasonable opportunity to show cause is required before any confiscation order is passed. Accordingly, the companies have been given seven days to submit written explanations as to why action should not be initiated against them.
Officials said similar notices will be issued to all units that are either not registered under the VOPPA framework or have failed to file mandatory returns, to ensure uniform compliance across the sector. Further inspection drives across edible oil processing units are planned on a need basis, including inspections in and around Haryana and Rajasthan during January 2026.
Reiterating its stance, the government said it remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and strict compliance in the edible oil sector in the interest of effective policy formulation and national food security.
