Saffola Active oil: Same quantity, different level of oryzanol?

A noted consumer product researcher, Dr Arvind Shenoy, made a shocking discovery while shopping. He found out that two packets of Saffola Active kept together had different levels of oryzanol, which may be in violation of FSSAI regulations
Dr Arvind Shenoy, a noted consumer product researcher, while shopping, shockingly found two distinct labels for the same packet of Saffola Active oil. One packet of Saffola Active contained 40mg of oryzanol per 10gms of oil while an identical packet showed 85mg of oryzanol per 10 gms of oil. Mr Shenoy, in his complaint, said, “The value of 40mg of oryzanol per 10gms of blended oil containing 80% of rice bran oil (RBO), is in clear violation of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.”
 

It was also found that Saffola Active packet (containing 40mg of oryzanol per 10gms of oil) shows the same quantity of oryzanol as the one as Saffola Gold, and both are differently priced. Saffola Gold is priced higher than Saffola Active.
 

Most shockingly, the prices of the two packets of Saffola Active were found to be different as well. The one containing less amount of oryzanol (i.e. 40mg per 10gms of oil) was found to be costlier (Rs112.50 per liter; than the one containing higher amount of oryzanol (i.e 85gms per 10gms of oil) and cost Rs99 only !

 

Unless the consumer is well informed of Saffola’s nutrients or knows the differences between different packaged versions and different batches manufactured at different dates, there is no way of finding out the differences or for that matter the its pricing, says Dr Shenoy.

 

However, Marico Ltd, the producer of Saffola brand oil, says the difference in oryzanol quantity is because both the packets are produced in different batches. “The two Saffola Active packets you have received are from two different batches of production. We have updated our declaration on the packs of Saffola Active. The updated declaration of 85mg of oryzanol per 10gms is with effect from the last week of July 2013,” the company said.

Oryzanol is a rice bran extract known to have health benefits. According to Marico’s website, “The heart healthy nutrients in rice bran oil such as oryzanol are known for their cholesterol lowering ability.”

 

Marico further said Saffola Gold is a different variant under the Saffola oils portfolio and has a different composition. “Like in Saffola Active, even in Saffola Gold, we have updated our oryzanol declaration with effect from last week of June 2013. From what we gather from the picture attached, you seem to have received a pack from the earlier production. The declarations on our packets are correct as of the date on the production of the pack,” the company said.

 

Talking about difference in pricing, Marico said, the company prints maximum retail price (MRP), however, there are retailers who could be discounting it.

The following snapshots taken by Mr Shenoy shows the differences between two identical packets of Saffola Active and Saffola Gold.

 

Saffola Active (40mg)

Saffola Active (85mg)

 

Different prices of Saffola

Saffola Gold

Here is transcript of the complaint filed by Dr Shenoy:

 

The Commissioner,

Office of the Commissioner, 

Food and Drug Administration, M.S., 

Survey No. 341, Bandra-Kurla Complex, 

2nd floor, Bandra (East),

MUMBAI-400051 .

 

Dear Sir,

 

I wish to bring to your notice that the pouches of one litre packs of Saffola Gold (blended oil containing RBO 80%) and Saffola Active (blended oil containing RBO 80%). On the label under nutrition information printed on the pouch there is mentioned that oryzanol content is 40mg per 10 gms of blended oil in case of Saffola Gold.

 

Surprisingly, the two pouches of Saffola Active of one litre each from the same mall at the same time displayed on their nutrition information labels two different values of oryzanol content , namely 40 mg per 10gms and 85mg per 10 gms of blended oil!!! Surprising that the same brand should have 2 pouches with two different values for oryzanol content, that too available at the same time!!

 

The value of 40 mg of oryzanol per 10 gms of blended containing 80% RBO is in clear violation of FSSAI regulations. The ordinary consumer doesn't bother to read such label information as a result of which companies take consumers for a ride. In my opinion, as I understand, the manufacturers of Saffola brand have been selling Saffola Gold containing 40mgs per 10 gms of blended oil containing 80% RBO for almost about a year, causing great economic loss to millions of consumers.

 

In the light of this, why strict action should not be taken against the manufacturers of Saffola M/s Marico Ltd?   

 

I have enclosed the images of the pouches and purchase receipts for the same.

 

I wish the outcome of the action taken by you on my complaint will be made known to me.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Dr Arvind R Shenoy

Consumer Product Researcher