In a study conducted by Consumer VOICE (Voluntary Organisation in the Interest of Consumer Education) to evaluate the safety and quality of edible oils sold in the nation, Gemini, the flagship edible oil brand of Cargill and the market leader in the edible oil category in Maharashtra, was named the No. 1 quality sunflower oil brand.
Based on the results of a laboratory study on 23 sunflower oil brands tested on 20 quality indicators in accordance with FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India), Agmark, and legal methods, Gemini sunflower oil was given the top ranking for quality. The quality and purity of each brand was assessed based on factors such as fatty acid composition, saturated fatty acids, MUFA, PUFA, trans fats, moisture content, insoluble impurities, refractive index, acid value, saponification value, and unsaponifiable matter.
This is part of an initiative by the Government of India, under which the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been supporting Voluntary Consumer Organizations for conducting comparative tests of Products and Services. The purpose of the initiative is to help consumers compare products and take purchase decisions diligently, thus raising consumer awareness.
Commenting on the development, Subin Sivan, Marketing and Insights Leader, Cargill Food Ingredients, South Asia, said, “This recognition underlines our commitment towards offering premium quality products that cater to the needs of consumers who are more health conscious now than ever. Such quality assurances by credible Government recognized consumer bodies go a long way in raising awareness and protecting consumers from health concerns posed by adulteration in oils and use of low-quality products.”
“This award further deepens the trust our consumers have in us by endorsing our legacy of purity, freshness, and nutrition we bring to millions of households across Maharashtra. As the market needs to evolve, we will continue to expand both our presence and offerings in the market with a range of healthy and innovative edible oil solutions tailored to the needs of our consumers – today and in the future, he added.”
Gemini is a market leader in Maharashtra and has recently marked its 40th anniversary in the country. In line with the evolving needs of consumers, the brand also recently transformed its iconic packaging design and logo across its portfolio of Gemini everyday oils, taste oils, and wellness oils. Expanding the Gemini edible oil portfolio to South India, Cargill recently announced the launch of Gemini Pureit.
The brand’s expansion into South India will be supported by the recently acquired facility in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, which commenced operations in December last year. The US$35 million investment to acquire and upgrade the Nellore facility has significantly expanded Cargill’s edible oil footprint in southern India and strengthened its existing supply chain to meet growing customer demand.
For more on the study, you can visit, https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/ctocpas/sunfloweroil.pdf
