Cooking oil samples tested

Action will be taken if found adulterated, say food safety officials

The Food Safety Department awaits results of eight samples of cooking oil an inspection team had taken for testing from traders and manufacturers during a recent raid in the district.

Raids were conducted reportedly based on complaints that sesame oil and groundnut oil were being adulterated with cheap cooking oils by a section of unscrupulous traders.

There have been instances in the past when such tests had indicated adulteration of sesame oil and groundnut oil with sunflower oil and palm oil, official sources said.

Some manufacturers and traders add chemicals for deodorising, colouring and also flavouring, the sources said.

Samples were taken from units undertaking mechanised production as well as those following traditional pressing method.

In the event of determining adulteration of the premium products with much cheaper palm oil and cottonseed oil, the manufacturers and traders concerned would face legal action, it is learnt.

Used as a flavour enhancer and as an ingredient to foods to impart health benefits, sesame oil is generally priced at a premium to other edible vegetables.

Practitioners of both Western medicine and the Indian system of Ayurveda recognise significant health benefits in gingelly oil as it has properties of lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, aids in weight reduction, and is a source of antioxidants, a gastroenterologist said.

But, getting sesame oil that is preferred by health-conscious customers in natural form is not easy, a trader acknowledged, explaining that manufacturers can price the product competitively only by compromising on its purity.