Govt Tightens Oversight of Edible Oil Sector Under VOPPA Order 2025

The measures are aimed at enhancing transparency, improving data-driven policymaking and strengthening national food security, particularly in a sector critical to household consumption and price stability.

The Government of India has strengthened regulatory oversight across the edible oil value chain through the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Amendment Order, 2025 (VOPPA Order, 2025). The amended framework 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 (https://www.edibleoilindia.in), along with mandatory monthly submission of production, stock and availability returns.

The measures are aimed at enhancing transparency, improving data-driven policymaking and strengthening national food security, particularly in a sector critical to household consumption and price stability.

Mandatory Monthly Reporting Across the Value Chain

Under the amended VOPPA Order, 2025, all registered entities are required to submit monthly returns detailing:

• Production

• Stocks

• Imports

• Dispatches

• Sales

• Consumption

The reporting framework covers 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 comprehensive data capture is intended to provide real-time visibility into availability and movement of edible oils across the country.

Nationwide Compliance and Inspection Drive

As part of a nationwide compliance drive, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has conducted inspection exercises at multiple locations, including Karnal in Haryana and Jaipur in Rajasthan. These inspections focused on verifying NSWS and VOPPA registrations, assessing the accuracy and timeliness of monthly returns, and engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance.

The inspections form part of a broader monitoring strategy to ensure that the amended regulatory framework is effectively implemented across the edible oil sector.

Capacity Building and Industry Engagement

Alongside enforcement, the Department is undertaking capacity-building initiatives to facilitate smooth compliance by industry participants. A dedicated workshop was organised on 30 January 2026 at RIC, Jaipur, focusing on:

• NSWS registration procedures

• Use of the VOPPA portal

• Accurate data reporting

• Timely filing of monthly returns

Similar awareness workshops are planned in other major States. In continuation of this initiative, the third awareness workshop is proposed to be held on 16 February 2026 in Rajkot, Gujarat, in view of the region’s significant concentration of edible oil processing units.

Show Cause Notices Issued for Non-Compliance

Based on inspection findings and subsequent reviews, the Department has issued Show Cause Notices to a few large edible oil companies for failure to submit mandatory monthly production returns, despite repeated reminders through emails and telephonic communications.

Such lapses constitute a contravention of the VOPPA Order, 2025, which has been issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The concerned entities have been informed that, under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act, action including inspection and confiscation may be initiated in cases of contravention. Further, as per Section 6B, a reasonable opportunity to be heard must be provided before any confiscation order is passed.

Accordingly, the defaulting units have been given 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:

• Not registered under the VOPPA framework, or

• Have failed to file mandatory monthly returns

This approach is intended to ensure uniform compliance across the edible oil sector. Inspection drives will continue on a need-based basis across edible oil processing units nationwide.

Strengthening Food Security and Policy Transparency

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Government stated that strict enforcement of the VOPPA Order, 2025 is essential for effective policy formulation, market stability and national food security.

The enhanced regulatory framework is expected to improve real-time monitoring of edible oil availability, support informed interventions when required, and reinforce confidence in India’s essential commodities management system.