Kerala Civil Supplies Department Collects Petrol Samples to Check Ethanol Levels

The Kerala Civil Supplies Department has begun collecting petrol samples from fuel outlets across the state to determine whether the fuel contains ethanol beyond permitted limits. Official sources confirmed on Tuesday that inspections will be expanded to petrol pumps in other districts if irregularities are detected in this initial phase.

As part of the statewide inspection drive, checks were conducted on Monday across four districts, namely Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kannur. Samples were collected from a total of nine outlets—three in Ernakulam, and two each in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur. Representatives from oil companies and sales managers of the respective outlets were present during the sampling process.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that the primary objective of the inspections is to ensure the supply of quality fuel to consumers and to prevent adulteration and other irregularities. He further noted that strict legal action would be initiated if laboratory tests confirm that the ethanol content exceeds prescribed limits.

The collected samples have been sent to authorized laboratories to verify whether the fuel meets required quality standards. According to officials, there have been no confirmed cases of excess ethanol blending in petrol in Kerala so far. The ongoing checks are being carried out as a precautionary measure prompted by reports of similar fuel irregularities at certain petrol pumps in Karnataka.

"Regulatory monitoring and proactive quality checks are critical for maintaining consumer trust and market integrity, especially in essential commodities like fuel. For businesses operating in supply chain and retail sectors, compliance with established standards protects both end-users and long-term brand reputation. Preventive inspections help identify operational risks early before they translate into legal or financial liabilities." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes