Cold-pressed oils have moved from village ghanis to supermarket shelves across India. With that growth has come a problem: not every bottle labelled "cold-pressed" or "kachi ghani" actually is. Some brands use solvent-extracted oil and add back a fraction of cold-pressed oil for the aroma. Others skip third-party testing entirely. And a few simply print whatever label moves product.
For health-conscious buyers who pay a premium for genuinely unrefined oil, the question is straightforward: how do you tell the real from the relabelled? Knowing how to verify cold-pressed oil brand claims is now a basic consumer skill. This article walks through every verification step, from reading the FSSAI license number on the bottle to understanding what a NABL-certified lab report actually tests for.
Start With the FSSAI License: Your First Filter
Every food product sold in India must carry an FSSAI license or registration number. For cooking oils, this 14-digit number is your first tool to verify a cold-pressed oil brand.
How to Read the FSSAI Number
The 14-digit number on your oil bottle breaks down as follows:
| Digit Position | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Digit 1 | License type (registration vs state vs central) |
| Digits 2 to 3 | State code of the manufacturer |
| Digits 4 to 5 | Year the license was issued |
| Digits 6 to 8 | Enrolment batch |
| Digits 9 to 14 | Unique operator number |
How to Verify It Online
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Visit the FSSAI website (foscos.fssai.gov.in)
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Navigate to the FBO Search tab
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Enter the 14-digit license number and complete the captcha
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The result shows: business name, registered address, license type, validity dates, and the list of products the operator is licensed to sell
If the search returns nothing, or the business name does not match the brand on the bottle, that is a red flag. Likewise, check the validity dates. An expired license means the product should not be on the shelf.
Cold-pressed mustard oil from Indic Wisdom, for instance, carries an active FSSAI license that matches the registered manufacturing unit. This is the baseline every buyer should confirm before looking at anything else.
What "Cold-Pressed" and "Kachi Ghani" Actually Mean Under FSSAI Rules
Before you verify cold-pressed oil brand claims at the label level, understand what FSSAI requires for oils marketed as cold-pressed or kachi ghani:
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Cold-pressed: Oil extracted by mechanical means at temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius, without chemical solvents
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Kachi ghani: The Hindi equivalent; FSSAI permits this label only when the oil's natural allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) content is at least 0.20% by weight (for mustard oil)
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Hexane residue: Must be absent (detection limit of 0.1 ppm) in genuinely cold-pressed oils. Solvent-extracted oils are allowed up to 5.0 ppm
Label Claims to Watch For
| Claim on Label | What to Check |
|---|---|
| "Cold-pressed" or "Kachi ghani" | FSSAI license active; hexane residue absent on lab report |
| "Wood-pressed" or "Lakdi ghani" | Same as cold-pressed; refers to the traditional wooden press method |
| "Filtered" or "Unfiltered" | Cosmetic difference; does not confirm extraction method |
| "Natural" or "Pure" | Legally vague in India; not a regulated claim by FSSAI |
| "Chemical-free" | Should be supported by a lab report showing zero hexane residue |
| "Organic" | Must carry a separate organic certification (NPOP/PGS/USDA) |
The word "natural" on a cooking oil label carries no regulatory weight. A brand can print it on a bottle of refined, solvent-extracted oil without penalty. The only claims that carry legal weight are "cold-pressed," "kachi ghani," and "organic." Each requires specific compliance to use.
NABL-Certified Lab Reports: The Gold Standard
To verify cold-pressed oil brand quality with real confidence, ask for its lab report. Not all lab reports are equal, and the credential to look for is NABL accreditation.
What Is NABL?
NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) is India's accreditation body for testing labs. Since December 2022, FSSAI recognises only NABL-accredited labs for official food testing. A lab report from a non-NABL lab does not carry the same regulatory weight.
What Should the Lab Report Test?
For cold-pressed mustard oil, the key parameters and their FSSAI-mandated limits are:
| Parameter | FSSAI Limit (Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil) | What It Indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Acid value | Max 6.0 | Freshness; lower is better. Well-made cold-pressed oil sits at 1.0 to 3.0 |
| Peroxide value | Max 15 meq O₂/kg | Oxidation level; higher values mean the oil is going rancid |
| AITC content | Min 0.20% by weight | Confirms genuine mustard oil (AITC is destroyed by refining) |
| Hexane residue | Absent (detection limit 0.1 ppm) | Confirms no solvent extraction was used |
| Moisture content | Max 0.25% (Agmark) | Excess moisture leads to spoilage and foaming |
| Iodine value | 96 to 112 | Confirms fatty acid composition matches mustard oil profile |
| Saponification value | 168 to 177 | Another identity marker confirming the oil type |
For cold-pressed sesame oil, the relevant FSSAI parameters differ slightly:
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Acid value: max 6.0
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Saponification value: 188 to 193
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Iodine value: 103 to 120
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Unsaponifiable matter: max 1.5%
Where to Find Lab Reports
Reputable brands publish their lab reports on their website or make them available on request. Indic Wisdom, for example, publishes NABL-certified lab reports for each batch of oil. If a brand cannot produce a lab report from a NABL-accredited lab, that absence tells you something.
The FSSAI Adulteration Problem: Why Verification Matters
A nationwide survey conducted by FSSAI tested 4,461 cooking oil samples across India. The results, published in the FSSAI Edible Oil Survey Report (2022):
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24.2% of samples failed quality metrics, indicating possible adulteration, dilution, or misrepresentation
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2.42% failed safety standards, meaning they contained contaminants at levels that could affect health
Nearly one in four bottles of cooking oil in India did not meet the quality standard printed on its own label. This is why knowing how to verify a cold-pressed oil brand is not optional. It is a basic consumer skill.
Common Adulteration Methods
| Method | How It Works | How to Detect |
|---|---|---|
| Dilution with refined oil | Cheap refined oil mixed with a small quantity of cold-pressed oil for aroma | Lab test: acid value too low for cold-pressed; hexane residue present |
| Mixing cheaper oil | Palm or soybean oil blended with mustard or sesame oil | Lab test: iodine value and saponification value fall outside expected range |
| Artificial colouring | Synthetic dyes added to pale refined oil to mimic cold-pressed colour | Lab test: presence of non-permitted colours |
| Repackaging | Bulk refined oil repackaged with cold-pressed labels | FSSAI license check: no manufacturing unit; no lab report available |
Five Steps to Verify Any Cold-Pressed Oil Brand
Here is a practical checklist to verify cold-pressed oil brand authenticity before buying:
Step 1: Check the FSSAI License
Look for the 14-digit number on the bottle. Use it to verify the cold-pressed oil brand registration on the FSSAI website. Confirm the business name and product list match the bottle.
Step 2: Read the Label Carefully
Look for "cold-pressed" or "kachi ghani." Ignore vague terms like "natural" or "pure." Check for an organic certification mark if the label claims organic.
Step 3: Ask for a Lab Report
Request a copy of the most recent batch lab report. Check that it comes from a NABL-accredited lab. Verify the parameters listed in the table above.
Step 4: Check the Manufacturing Details
The label should list the manufacturing unit's address, not just a marketing office. A traceable manufacturing address is a sign of accountability. Brands like Indic Wisdom list their manufacturing process publicly.
Step 5: Use Your Senses
While not conclusive, sensory checks add a practical layer:
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Smell: Cold-pressed mustard oil has a sharp, pungent AITC-driven aroma. Cold-pressed sesame oil smells nutty and earthy. If the oil smells flat or chemically neutral, it may be refined.
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Colour: Cold-pressed mustard oil is deep amber. Cold-pressed sesame oil ranges from light gold to amber. Very pale, clear oil is likely refined or over-filtered.
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Foam test: Cold-pressed oils foam mildly when heated due to retained phospholipids. No foam at all suggests refining. Learn more about why cold-pressed oils foam.
Home Tests: Helpful but Not Conclusive
Several home tests circulate online: the fridge test (checking if oil solidifies), the flame test (burning oil on a diya), and the taste test. These can flag obvious adulteration. For instance, mustard oil diluted heavily with palm oil may solidify in the fridge when real mustard oil would not.
However, home tests cannot detect:
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Small-percentage dilution with refined oil
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Hexane residue at trace levels
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Precise acid or peroxide values
Home tests are a first filter. To truly verify cold-pressed oil brand purity, lab testing from a NABL-accredited facility is the only method that gives definitive answers.
Cold-Pressed Oil Pricing: Why Cheap Is a Warning Sign
Price is another way to verify cold-pressed oil brand credibility. Genuinely cold-pressed oil costs more to produce than solvent-extracted oil. Cold pressing yields less oil per kilogram of seed (typically 28 to 35% extraction rate versus 45 to 50% for solvent extraction). The process is slower, requires no chemical recovery, and uses more raw material per litre of finished oil.
Browse Indic Wisdom's full range of cold-pressed cooking oils to see what transparently sourced, lab-tested oils look like.
Conclusion
Knowing how to verify a cold-pressed oil brand comes down to three layers: confirm the FSSAI license is active and matches the product, ask for a NABL-certified lab report with the right parameters tested, and use your senses as a practical check. No single test is enough on its own, but all three together filter out the majority of misrepresented products.
The FSSAI data speaks for itself. Nearly a quarter of cooking oil samples failed quality checks. In a market with that level of inconsistency, buying from a brand that publishes its lab reports, lists its manufacturing process, and carries active FSSAI certification is not being cautious. It is being informed.
Browse Indic Wisdom's full range of cold-pressed cooking oils, each batch wood-pressed and tested at a NABL-accredited lab with reports published openly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if a cold-pressed oil brand is FSSAI-certified?
Visit the FSSAI website (foscos.fssai.gov.in), go to the FBO Search tab, enter the 14-digit license number from the bottle, and complete the captcha. The result will show the business name, address, product list, and license validity dates. This is the quickest way to verify cold pressed oil brand registration online. If nothing comes up or the details do not match, the product may not be legitimately licensed.
What is NABL certification and why does it matter for oil testing?
NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredits labs that meet international testing standards. Since December 2022, FSSAI recognises only NABL-accredited labs for official food testing. A lab report from a NABL-accredited facility confirms that the testing was done with proper equipment, calibration, and protocols.
What lab tests confirm an oil is genuinely cold-pressed?
The most telling parameter is hexane residue: genuinely cold-pressed oil should show zero hexane (detection limit 0.1 ppm). For mustard oil, AITC content at or above 0.20% by weight confirms authentic kachi ghani extraction. Acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, and saponification value together confirm both the oil's identity and its freshness.
Can I trust "natural" or "pure" labels on cooking oil?
No. The terms "natural" and "pure" carry no regulatory definition under FSSAI rules for cooking oils. A brand can print either term on a bottle of refined, solvent-extracted oil without violating any regulation. Look for "cold-pressed" or "kachi ghani" instead. These are regulated claims.
Why is cold-pressed oil more expensive than refined oil?
Cold pressing extracts 28 to 35% oil from seeds, compared to 45 to 50% with solvent extraction. The process uses no chemical solvents, requires more raw material per litre, and runs at slower speeds. These production economics make genuinely cold-pressed oil more expensive, and unusually cheap pricing on a "cold-pressed" label is a reason to verify the brand, not a reason to buy it.
References:
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FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, Chapter 2.2: Oils and Fats.
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FSSAI. Edible Oil Survey Report, 2022.
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FSSAI. Order on Recognition of NABL-Accredited Labs for Food Testing, December 2022.
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Consumer Affairs India. Standards for Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil (Agmark specifications).