Sivasagar restaurants undergo safety checks of used cooking oil

Dibrugarh: Food safety department launched an oil-testing initiative across Sivasagar town on Monday, aiming to ensure public health standards by assessing the quality of used cooking oil at local restaurants.The drive, conducted in collaboration with the Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) mobile unit, focused on measuring the total polar compounds (TPC) levels, a key indicator of oil degradation and health risk.A total of 30 samples of used cooking oil were collected from various food establishments throughout the town for quality analysis. High levels of TPC indicate that the oil has been overused and can generate harmful substances, posing a serious threat to consumer health.“The quality of cooking oil is paramount to food safety. We have collected a total of 30 samples of used cooking oil from various food establishments across Sivasagar town, ranging from eateries to larger restaurants. These samples will now undergo rigorous analysis, primarily to assess their TPC levels, which tells us precisely how degraded the oil is,” said a food safety department official.The drive included a briefing session for restaurant owners and staff. Operators were given detailed instruction on best practices for food handling, preparation, and storage, to drastically reduce the risk of cross-contamination and food-borne illnesses.A critical point of advice involved segregation of ingredients. Operators were strongly advised to store raw meats and poultry separately from ready-to-eat foods to prevent bacterial transfer.Furthermore, the department emphasised the implementation of the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method for inventory management. This technique ensures that older stock is used before new stock, which is essential for minimising food spoilage and reducing operational waste.The food safety department confirmed that results from the TPC analysis will be processed swiftly, and appropriate follow-up actions, including further training or warnings, will be issued based on the findings. The department said similar awareness and testing campaigns would become a regular feature to sustain high food safety standards across the district.