Karnataka to launch tracking app for used cooking oil

Karnataka's Food Safety Department is moving to curb the practice of recycled used cooking oil entering the food supply chain through a dedicated digital tracking application. The state plans to roll out the technology-based monitoring system within three months, targeting major urban centres where the problem is most acute.

The pilot phase will focus on Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi, where authorities will test the app's effectiveness in tracking and managing used cooking oil disposal. The initiative aims to create a transparent system that records the collection, handling, and final disposal of waste cooking oil, making it difficult for unscrupulous dealers to divert it back into commercial food production.

Reused cooking oil poses significant health risks to consumers, as repeated heating degrades the oil and can produce harmful compounds. The practice remains prevalent in India's food service sector, prompting regulatory action across multiple states. By establishing a digital trail from collection to disposal, Karnataka's Food Safety Department hopes to deter illegal practices and ensure stricter compliance with food safety standards.

The department will assess the app's performance during the pilot period before considering expansion to other cities in the state. Stakeholders in the food service industry will be expected to register used oil collections and disposals through the platform, creating accountability at every stage of the waste management cycle.