Millers to redo g'nut oil image

The Saurashtra Oil Millers Association (SOMA), at its 57h annual general meeting, has resolved to launch an awareness campaign to highlight the merits and demerits of edible groundnut oil.

"Doctors often instruct their patients, especially with cardiac disorders, not to consume edible oil, They ignore the positive aspects, which cannot be accepted," said Samir Shah, honorary secretary of SOMA.

At present, over 25 per cent of the nation's edible oil requirement is met by Gujarat. The country requires approximately 110 lakh million tonne (MT) of edible oil every year, of which, 60 lakh MT is produced within the nation. The rest is imported.

Consumption of groundnut oil in the country ranges between 10 lakh MT and 12 lakh MT per year. Gujarat produces around 6 lakh MT a year.

"The consumption of edible groundnut oil may come down in the future with a number of other edible oils being available in the market and medicos ignoring the positive aspects of judicious consumption of edible groundnut oil. This would be a major blow to the industry," said Shah.

The delegates appealed to SOMA to launch a website to spread awareness on the facts associated with the consumption of groundnut oil.