Context

FSSAI is considering to make it mandatory to fortify edible oil with vitamins A and D so that people of India can enjoy better immunity with good health.

What is Oil fortification?

• Oil fortification, i.e. the process of adding micronutrients to edible oil to increase its nutritional value, is expected to achieve almost 99% penetration of the Indian population due to the widespread use of cooking oil.
• All kinds of edible oils (soybean, palmolein, groundnut, cotton seed, mustard, etc.) can be fortified.

The need

• Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are rampant in India, and continue to be significant public health problems, which adversely impact the health and productivity of all the population groups.
• More than 57% of children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which may be symptomatic or present at the sub-clinical level.
• In addition, a high proportion of pregnant women and their new-borns suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. 
• Since vitamin A and D are fat-soluble vitamins, fortification of edible oils and fats with vitamin A and D is a good strategy to address micronutrient malnutrition and fortified oil is known to provide 25%-30% of the recommended dietary allowances for vitamins A&D.

Health benefits

Vitamin A

• Good for healthy vision, bones, skin and tissues
• Fights cell damage
• Works as antioxidant
• Helps skin growth and repair
• Formation and maintenance of teeth

Vitamin D

• Regulates the amount of phosphate and calcium in the body
• Keeps bones, teeth and muscles healthy
• Facilitates normal immune system function
• Regulates mood and prevents depression