Palm oil bad for heart? Indian industry body refutes myth

Palm oil is one of the best oils when compared to other vegetable oils, which have a higher selling price, proclaims Solvent Extractors’ Association of India.

HYDERABAD (India): An Indian vegetable oil industry association has acknowledged the health benefits of palm oil, saying it has been proven to be rich in antioxidants that prevent cell damage, despite it being cheaper than other vegetable oils.

The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) also refuted claims associating palm oil with heart attacks and cholesterol, describing those allegations as myth.

“Accusations that palm oil will create heart problems and high cholesterol are a myth. It is one of the best oils as compared to other vegetable oils, which have higher selling price,” SEA president Pravin S Lunkadhe told reporters after the launch of the Malaysia-India Palm Oil Seminar here today.

He said palm oil, with the benefits it offers, should be considered as an oil for every layer of society.

“Palm oil is for the masses, and it is good for health,” he added.

India’s oil and fats market stood at 22.3 million tonnes last year with palm oil contributing 9.3 million tonnes, or 42.3%, and formed an integral part of the country’s consumer market.

The country was Malaysia’s largest palm oil export destination last year, importing 3.9 million tonnes of Malaysian palm oil, up from 3.4 million tonnes in 2014.

The palm oil seminar, themed “Bridging the Supply/Demand Gap for India through Malaysian Palm Oil”, was co-organised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to provide a platform for industry players from both countries to engage, discuss and formulate strategic business plans that make the most of Malaysian palm oil in the Indian market.

– BERNAMA