The consumption of used cooking oil poses adverse health effects since polar compounds are formed during frying. Thus, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (Ruco) initiative recently to collect the used cooking oil and get biodiesel from used cooking oil. Dr. Amandeep Kang, director health and family welfare, Chandigarh, flagged off Ruco vehicles to kick start the initiative.
Dr Kang said the food business operators often use same cooking oil for repeated frying. The consumption of used cooking oil therefore poses adverse health effects since polar compounds are formed during frying. These compounds are associated with several diseases such as hypertension and liver disease. The FSSAI has issued directions to all the states food authorities to initiate the process of disposal and collection of used cooking oil.
In lieu of the World Food Day 2020, which is celebrated throughout the world on October 16, the food safety department of the UT Chandigarh, celebrated the World Food Day and launched the FSSAI initiative Ruco.
Dr Kang emphasised the food industry people to implement the initiative in their respective institution so that contribution can be made to help the environment and health of the public.
She also appreciates the initiative of the food safety and standards department and announced that more such awareness functions will be organised in the near future so that the business community can be educated and made aware about various laws and initiatives of the government.
Dr. V K Nagpal, medical superintendent, GMSH-16, Chandigarh, said implementation of such initiatives will improve the environment, health of people, and the economy of the country.
More than 50 food business operators from across the city along with authorized aggregators and biodiesel manufacture were present on the occasion.
Photo by Flickr, Carroll DeWeese
