New Delhi, Aug 7 (NationPress) The Centre’s Department of Food and Public Distribution has announced a revision to the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011, which was initially introduced under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, after earlier regulations were repealed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The new amendment aims to improve transparency, enhance market intelligence, and support data-driven policymaking. This initiative will allow for more detailed monitoring of production and stock levels, ensuring a consistent supply of edible oils across the country and aiding in stabilizing retail prices, as stated in an official announcement made on Thursday.

The revision is intended to align the regulation with the institutional changes resulting from the 2014 merger of two critical directorates and to fortify data collection methods in the edible oil industry by incorporating elements from the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.

This regulatory update is set to benefit consumers and participants throughout the edible oil supply chain. With enhanced visibility on domestic production, imports, and stock levels, the government will be better positioned to make timely policy adjustments—such as modifying import duties or facilitating imports—to rectify supply-demand discrepancies, according to the statement.

Consultations with stakeholders, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Department of Animal Husbandry, and various edible oil industry associations, were conducted. Industry associations have shown strong backing for this initiative and are urging their members to register via the National Single Window System (NSWS) and submit monthly returns through the official Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order (VOPPA) portal.

To enhance user experience and promote timely compliance, the VOPPA portal (https://www.edibleoilindia.in) has been revamped with a more user-friendly interface. The forms for return submission have been simplified and redesigned for greater convenience.

The integration of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 empowers the DFPD to enforce data submission requirements more effectively, ensuring the creation of a robust, actionable database. This will assist in strategic policy planning, facilitate prompt government responses to supply chain issues, and further national food security objectives.

All edible oil processors, manufacturers, repackers, and related entities are encouraged to adhere to the revised regulations and submit their production returns online via the official portal at https://www.edibleoilindia.in.