Most of the Canola oil imported into the country comes from Canada and so some claim that the ‘can’ part stands for Canada and the ‘ola’ refers to oil However, The name Canola is a trademarked name that has been given to edible vegetable oil made from rapeseed and which has low erucic acid. Another claim to the name is that it stands for ‘can (ada) + o (il) +l (ow) +a (cid). However, FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 has specified Canola oil as rapeseed oil – low erucic acid. In the CODEX Standard for vegetable oils is listed as Rapeseed oil –low erucic acid (canola oil).
The Canola Oil that is labelled only as Canola Oil and is marketed and sold in India is not following labelling requirements under Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011. If you are importing oil keep the following correct requirements of labelling in mind as per FSS notification.
a.) As per the FSS (packaging and labelling) Regulations, 2011, every container that is packed with solvent extracted oil meant for sale should be marked with the Name of the Food in this way:
- the name
- trade name (if any)
- or description of the solvent – extracted oil
Correct Name marking for Canola oil
Imported Rapeseed – low erucic acid oil. Canola oil (In addition trade name can also be used)
b.) Each container of refined vegetable oil shall have a label as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 and should mention the word imported before refined and name of the oil.
Correct Labelling
Imported Refined Rapeseed – low erucic acid oil. Canola Oil (Trade name can also be used)
c.) List of ingredients will be labeled as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 unless they have only a single ingredient. The list should begin with the title “Ingredients” right at the beginning of the list followed by specific name of the other ingredients. Canola Oil is a trademark name and hence cannot be an ingredient and so cannot be listed.
Correct Ingredient markings
Ingredients: – Edible vegetable oil (cannot be written as Canola Oil) other specific ingredients to follow below
If you are importing oil and marketing it in India then you will have to follow section FSS (packaging and labelling) Regulations, 2011. Hence your imported oil product should have a label that declares it as Imported Refined Rapeseed Oil –Low Erucic Acid Oil so that Indian consumers can make an informed choice about the foods they consume and which is also a requirement as per Section 18 (2) (e) of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. Canola Oil can be written by the manufacturer as a parenthesis.
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