Published: 13th Nov, 2020
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
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