Waste cooking oil law changed

Tuesday 9 November 2004

Waste cooking oil from catering premises can no longer be used in animal feed. This change came into force on 31 October 2004 and has been introduced to safeguard animal health and the food chain.

The majority of catering premises are expected to continue having their waste cooking oil taken away by their usual collectors. But the collectors are now expected to supply the waste oil to other establishments for purposes not related to animal feed.

These include biodiesel producers, for use as raw material for transport fuel, incinerators for use in electricity generation, or other uses that support the Government strategy to reduce dependency on landfill sites for waste disposal and reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.

Caterers who produce waste cooking oils as part of their business, such as chip shops, other takeaway outlets or restaurants, must ensure that the oil is stored properly and collected by an authorised collector.

Waste cooking oils from food manufacturing, and fresh or unused cooking oil, can continue to be used in animal feed.