31/01/2026
The Cold-Pressed Oil Scam No One Talks About
Cold-pressed oil is commonly understood as oil extracted below 50°C, without the use of chemicals or solvents. This is what consumers usually pay nearly four times more for.
However, the real problem is that there is currently no mandatory FSSAI temperature-based testing to verify “cold-pressed” claims for most edible oils in India.
Because of this loophole, refined oils — which are extracted using hexane (a petroleum-based solvent) and heated to temperatures above 200°C — are often relabelled and sold as “premium cold-pressed oils.”
A Consumer Voice study tested more than 1,000 loose edible oil samples across 15 Indian states. The findings were alarming:
• 85% of coconut oil samples failed quality tests
• 74% of sesame oil samples failed
• 72% of mustard oil samples failed
How to identify genuine cold-pressed oil:
1. Smell
Real cold-pressed oil has a strong, natural aroma. Odourless oil usually indicates refining.
2. Price
If the oil is cheap, it is unlikely to be truly cold-pressed. Cold-pressed oil yields are only about 30–40%, whereas refined oils can yield up to 70%.
3. Source
Buy oils only from producers who can clearly explain their extraction process and confirm the extraction temperature.
If the oil in your kitchen smells like nothing, you may have been paying a premium for a product that is not what it claims to be.
Stay informed. Stay safe.
Source:
Consumer Voice – Loose Edible Oil Testing Report
https://consumer-voice.org/campaigns/loose-edible-oil-testing/
