The Hindu Business Line : Veg oil industry urged to adopt new technology

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Hyderabad Jan 21 Eskimos, the small group of inhabitants in the icy world near the Poles, are hardly bothered by heart attacks, which seem to be plaguing people across the globe in much more conducive climates.

The reason, scientists have found, lies in their staple diet - fish. Fish contains high levels of omega fatty acids, which substantially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), said Dr B. Sesikeran, Director of the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

While keeping heart attacks at bay, Eskimos seem to be at higher risk of death due to haemorrhage, he said while inaugurating the sixth National Seminar on Technology Upgradation in Vegetable Oil Industry organised by the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT).

Dr Sesikeran suggested a judicious mix of vegetable oils in diet for a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of CHD. There is a need for a blend of omega 3 and omega 6 containing oils in our dietary habits. High intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) also increases the risk of CHD.

The NIN chief urged the Indian vegetable oil industry to use technology, whether biotech, genetic modification or other, to produce the right vegetable oils for healthy human consumption.

Indian vanaspati contains high levels of trans-fatty acids, which studies have shown to increase the risk of CHD.

In this background, he urged the industry to take steps to reduce it before the Government is forced to step in.

Dr J.S. Yadav, Director of IICT, said that a Centre of Excellence for Lipid Research would be set up. It would house all processing and quality control facilities for the benefit of the Indian vegetable oil industry.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has agreed in principle to set up a centre during the 11th Plan, which begins in April, at a budget of Rs 50 crore.

Mr O.P. Goenka, Chairman of the seminar and leading player in the industry, said that the vegetable oil industry should change its outlook and embrace technology to become competitive.

He said that the IICT should create centralised facilities, which the industry would utilise and pay for.

India is expected to import nearly 6.1 million tonnes of vegetable oil during the 2006-07 November-October period, against 5.3 million in the previous year, industry representatives said.

More Stories on : Lifestyle | Health | Oilseeds & Edible Oil | Aquaculture | Andhra Pradesh

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