A ban a split verdict and a health concern

Mustard Oil in India: Context

• Third-most consumed edible oil in India.
• Extracted from Indian mustard crop, high in erucic acid (40–54%).
• Health concerns exist due to high erucic acid, especially in Western countries.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) ,GS 3(Agriculture)

Two Major Policy/Judicial Decisions

1. FSSAI Ban (2021):
   1. Banned blending of mustard oil with other edible oils.
   2. Aim: To prevent adulteration and boost domestic mustard production.
   3. Blending allowed under law up to 20% but was misused (industry blends up to 50%).

• Supreme Court Verdict (2024):
  • Struck down approval of GM mustard (DMH-11).
  • Reason: Insufficient health impact assessment.
  • Split verdict; health safety concerns cited by one of the judges.

Health Concern: Erucic Acid

• Present in high quantity in Indian mustard oil (40–54%).
• International limit: Less than 5% (U.S., Canada, Europe).
• Animal studies: High erucic acid linked to heart issues, liver and kidney damage.
• Human impact: No conclusive evidence, but stigma and strict regulations abroad.
• Alternative abroad: Canola oil (developed in Canada) with <2% erucic acid.

GM Mustard (DMH-11): Prospects and Benefits

• Lower erucic acid content (30–35% vs 40–54%).
• Higher yield potential.
• Reduces need for blending and dependency on imported edible oils.
• India’s edible oil import bill: $20.56 billion (NITI Aayog).
• Scientific achievement: Comparable to Western low-erucic cultivars.
• Needs further R&D to bring levels below 5%.

Blended Mustard Oil: Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Dilutes erucic acid content.
• Rich in unsaturated fats → improves cholesterol profile (↑ HDL, ↓ LDL).
• Practical in absence of low-erucic domestic cultivars.

Concerns:

• Rampant adulteration (FSSAI 2020 survey: 24.21% samples failed quality checks).
• Mustard oil had highest adulteration rates.
• Artificial flavors and toxic substances used.

Policy Recommendations

• Allow blended mustard oil sales in packaged and branded form with clear labelling.
• Enforce blending limits (currently often breached).
• Strengthen State-level food safety mechanisms (health is a State subject).
• Prioritize development of low-erucic GM mustard varieties with <5% content.
• Take a holistic view — blend health, economic, and scientific perspectives in policymaking.