A snack bar owner charged with using rancid oil was cleared because tests showed the oil quality conformed with international and EU standards.

Local food regulations made no reference to such standards but say that the oil's taste and smell should not be rancid. The owner insisted that the oil was no more than six hours old.

The man was charged of using rancid oil on two separate occasions in April 2008. The health authorities argued that test results showed that the oil was rancid.

But Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove how the oil tasted and smelt.

Food consultant Joseph Tanti sad tests showed that the oil quality conformed with international and EU standards known as Codex.

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