Mar 18, 2015

Website launched to tackle adulterated coconut oil menace

KOCHI, MARCH 17: 
Reports of adulterated coconut oil in Kerala have prompted a co-operative forum to launch a website to throw light on brands that sell adulterated oil in the market.
www.savecoconutoil.com, launched by the Kochi-based Coconut Oil and Copra Producers Cooperative Society, is an initiative aimed at creating awareness on the ill-effects of adulterated coconut oil as well as finding out ways to counter this menace. The website – introduced with public participation – would enable testing of coconut oil at NABL-approved labs.
Customers, who wish to check the oil for adulteration, can contact the phone number provided on the website. The representative of the forum will approach them and collect samples.
The results of the test, if it was found to be fake, will be published on the website along with the brand’s name.
The move assumes significance as reports of inferior coconut oil brands flooding the Kerala market from Tamil Nadu are on the rise.
According to traders, this has started affecting the sale of traditional Kerala coconut oil, known for its unique taste and quality.
However, Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA) said that adulterated coconut oil arrivals into the State has come down considerably, as small traders are now keeping away from the business fearing criminal cases.
The Coconut Development Board officials also claimed that the entry of adulterated oils into the State is now on the decrease following the special drive initiated by the Kerala Food Safety Commissioner.

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