Mumbai-based Ragini Razdan is very conscious about the products she chooses from her local supermarket when it comes to processed foods. She looks at the nutritional information displayed on cereals, breads, pickles, and other everyday products, and also looks at ingredients such as oil, sugar, salt, and chili pepper, which are commonly found in most processed foods such as snacks and sweets. I’ll pay attention.
“Since I was diagnosed with high cholesterol last year, I have been on a strict diet following the advice of a nutritionist. As such, I use a variety of oils in moderation in my cooking, but I also use a variety of oils that are not very healthy. “I’m reducing my intake of packaged foods that contain types of vegetable oils,” says the 40-year-old housewife.
The vegetable oils Razdan is referring to are edible oils that are widely used as an ingredient in many recipes (about 70% of packaged foods), from biscuits to bread, chocolate to cookies, cakes, peanut butter, chips, and more. It’s palm oil.
For example, packaging for bread brand Harvest Gold, Maggi noodles, Haldiram snacks, Parle G biscuits, Vadilal and Creme Bell ice creams and frozen desserts, Godiva milk chocolate pearls, and even other products such as baked cakes and frozen desserts. please look. It’s sold by local sweet shops, and you’ll notice that all of them are made with edible vegetable oil or palm oil. Palm oil’s versatile and high-performance properties make it suitable for high-temperature cooking and baking, with a melting point of 95°F (35°C), which is significantly higher than that of coconut oil (76°F/24°C) . ), its creamy texture and odorlessness make it a great and affordable ingredient for recipes. Foods made with palm oil can be stored and processed for long periods of time.
In fact, the consumption of processed snacks and bakery products from local traders, bakers and food manufacturers that use low-quality and low-cost butter, cream and fats extracted from vegetable fats and palm oil is very low for industrial use. Available at affordable prices. .And continued consumption of palm oil, which is found in some processed and packaged foods, is associated with long-term health.
Asked about palm oil use, its alternatives, and considerations for its consumption and production, experts say moderation is key.
Dr. Ankur Gupta, Consultant Internal Medicine, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, Delhi, says, “We are very proud to be a part of this program. Aspects of healthy eating. It contains more saturated fat than many other vegetable oils. Consuming large amounts of saturated fat can increase levels of LDL cholesterol, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Palm oil is commonly used in processed foods and can be found in large amounts along with unhealthy ingredients such as added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Therefore, excessive intake of processed foods containing palm oil can lead to poor diet quality and associated health problems such as obesity and chronic diseases. ”
Gupta says palm oil is difficult to avoid completely because it’s widely used in many processed foods and consumer products. “It’s best to check labels and reduce your intake. Choose minimally processed, whole foods whenever possible. Fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds usually contain palm oil. Contains no oil. Cooking from scratch gives you greater control over the ingredients you use. Therefore, companies that are committed to using sustainably sourced palm oil, or their sourcing practices Choose products from companies that provide transparent information about Look for certification labels such as those from the Roundtable on Oils,” adds Gupta.
Although there is no specific minimum amount for consumption of palm oil, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani, consultant and nutritionist, Pratiksha Kadam says,
People with health conditions such as heart disease or high cholesterol should be more cautious and limit or avoid palm oil, Kadam says. “It’s important to balance your palm oil intake with other healthy fats and maintain an overall healthy and nutritious diet. We recommend seeking professional advice from a nutritionist or doctor. ” says Kadam.
foster disaster
Palm oil has lower production costs and higher yields than other vegetable oils, and global palm oil production and demand are increasing. Oil plantations are widespread in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which are important habitats for endangered species. So, is palm oil produced and sourced in an environmentally friendly manner?
Palm oil results in unsustainable production and is directly linked to the destruction of valuable habitats. Because of the high demand for palm oil, the impact on wildlife is alarming.
Palm oil logging and extraction, slash-and-burn techniques, and peat swamp drainage – all impact orangutan habitat in Borneo and Sumatra, and tiger habitat in Malaysia.
Oil palm is primarily grown in areas with high rainfall, and the plant has caused massive deforestation, especially in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cameroon, where governments have cleared forests for plantations, leading to the destruction of orangutans and other It destroys the habitats of endangered species and reduces the resilience of our planet. climate change.
Oil palm is a tropical perennial crop grown primarily for its vegetable oil, which is extracted from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit. Oil palm trees produce high-quality oil that is used in food, detergents, cosmetics, and to some extent biofuels, as well as for cooking, primarily in developing countries.
Even though there are many brands like Nestlé
On the other hand, India
According to the Solvent Extractors Association of India, India’s imports of palm oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil will reach 16.47 tonnes (1.38 trillion tonne) in the 2022-23 oil year (November-October), up 17% from the previous year. (equivalent to tons), a record high. Due to lower global prices and lower import duties. Palm oil imports are mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, accounting for approximately 59% of total edible oil imports. The proportion of domestic production is 40% for mustard, 24% for soybeans, and 7% for peanuts.
Use oil wisely
read the label
In many countries, food labeling regulations require manufacturers to list the ingredients used in their products. Look for palm oil specifically mentioned in the ingredients list. It may also be listed under other names such as palm kernel oil, palm fruit oil, and vegetable oil. If a product claims to be palm oil-free, check the label carefully.
Find certification
Sustainable palm oil certification schemes, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, aim to promote the production and use of palm oil that meets specific environmental and social standards. Look for products labeled with RSPO certification or other reliable sustainability certifications to ensure that the palm oil used is responsibly sourced.
Explore the brand
If you’re unsure about the palm oil used in a particular product, consider researching the brand or manufacturer to learn more about their sourcing practices and sustainability efforts.
— Dr. Ankur Gupta, Consultant Internal Medicine, Fortis Escorts, New Delhi
