The Urgent Need for Safe and Vitamin-Fortified Edible Oil
On Tuesday, a group of experts highlighted the critical importance of ensuring the availability of vitamin-fortified and safe edible oil. They emphasized that this issue is now a pressing concern to foster a healthy and productive generation. The discussion took place during a workshop titled ‘Vitamin-Fortified Safe Edible Oil for All: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward,’ held at the BMA Bhaban in Dhaka.
The event was organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. It brought together 23 journalists from various media platforms, including print, television, and online outlets. The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities related to the production and distribution of safe and nutritious edible oil.
Violations of Regulations and Public Health Risks
One of the key concerns raised by the speakers was the sale of edible oil in open drums, which they stated violates government regulations and poses significant risks to public health. Despite the existence of the Vitamin ‘A’ Enrichment in Edible Oils Act, 2013, most oils available in the market do not meet the required vitamin content standards. In fact, many contain little or no vitamins at all.
A study conducted by ICDDR, B revealed alarming statistics. According to the research, 65% of edible oil in the market is sold in drums, with 59% of these lacking any vitamin A. Only 7% of the oils met the legal standards for vitamin content. This situation is particularly concerning because these drums are often previously used to store chemicals, engine oil, or industrial products, making them hazardous for food use.
Lack of Transparency and Quality Control
The use of such drums also leads to a lack of transparency regarding the oil’s source and quality. This absence of information allows adulterated or substandard oils to easily enter the market. As a result, consumers are exposed to potential health risks without knowing the true origin or safety of the products they purchase.
To address these issues, the speakers called for stronger coordinated monitoring efforts by several key authorities. These include the Ministry of Industries, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and the Food Safety Authority. Their collaboration is essential to ensure that only safe and vitamin-fortified edible oil reaches consumers.
Health Implications of Vitamin Deficiencies
The health consequences of vitamin deficiencies were also discussed during the workshop. Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, former Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Operations and Laboratories Department at the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP), highlighted that vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of childhood blindness and maternal mortality. On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency is linked to a higher risk of rickets, loss of bone density, cardiovascular disease, and various non-communicable diseases.
Other notable participants included Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar, Consultant at the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, and Dr. Ashek Mahfuz, Portfolio Lead for Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) and Value Chain at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Their insights provided valuable perspectives on the broader implications of food fortification and public health.
Key Presentations and Contributions
The key presentations at the workshop were delivered by Dr. Aliva Haque, Program Officer at PROGGA, and Md. Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs at the same organization. Their contributions helped to shed light on the progress made so far, the challenges that remain, and the way forward in ensuring access to safe and nutritious edible oil for all.