A prevalent problem facing palm oil consumption in Nigeria is the adulteration of the product. Adulterated palm oil has flooded the market and researchers have associated the product to the rising cases of cancers, heart disease and kidney failure. Being one of the basic ingredients in traditional diets, from porridge to stew. It is in high demand and often adulterated. The business is booming but the health implications in its wake calls for action.
It is feared that adulterated palm oil has contributed to the rising cases of cancer, kidney and other organs damage, heart disease and sudden deaths in Nigeria according to natural health online.
It has been shown that palm oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaies guineensis) is the most widely produced edible vegetable oil in the world today. It is an everyday cooking ingredient in the tropical belt of Africa, South East Asia and parts of Brazil. Several studies have shown that in a bid to make more profits by improving the red colour of the oil and the quantity, malicious producers and marketers use dangerous chemicals such as Sudan IV (solvent red 24). Many palm oil producers use solvent red 24 as an additive to improve the color and market value of improperly processed and genetically modified yellow palm oil.
Sudan IV (C24H20N4O) is a lysochrome (fat-soluble dye) diazo dye used for the staining of lipids, triglycerides and lipoproteins on frozen paraffin sections. ... Alternatively, authors have reported using the dye saturated in isopropyl alcohol, 95% ethanol, or 0.05% by weight in acetone:ethanol:water (50:35:15).
Chemical formula: C24H20N4O
Sudan IV (scarlet red) is a lysochrome diazo dye often used in coloring plastic, waxes, oil, fat among others polymers. As food dye, it is considered an illegal dye, mainly because of its harmful effect over a long period of time.
Palm oil is a rich source of vitamin A, it has beta carotene in it. So it protects the eyes from impairment called night blindness or total blindness. It is another ready source of energy, other sources of energy do not have as much as that. It also act as lubricant to the food we eat so that it make it palatable as part of its aesthetical function.
Chlorine has also been said to be introduced into palm oil: “If it is true that they adulterate palm oil with chlorine, it would be dangerous to man’s health because chlorine is a bleaching agent. It could lead to peptic ulcer if it is added to man’s food as it could erode the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). But there is a tolerable level of chlorine that man can take that it may not be harmful", according to one professor.
Chlorine has also been said to be introduced into palm oil: “If it is true that they adulterate palm oil with chlorine, it would be dangerous to man’s health because chlorine is a bleaching agent. It could lead to peptic ulcer if it is added to man’s food as it could erode the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). But there is a tolerable level of chlorine that man can take that it may not be harmful", according to one professor.
“Palm oil is fatty in nature. Hence, if chlorine is mixed with it, palm oil could store such chemical for a long time only to lead to health hazards later. It would affect the movement of food in the GIT and erode it overtime only to create wound called ulcer.”
Article credit: Natural health online
Article credit: Natural health online
This article is not to scare you from enjoying the richness of palm oil, but to be informed of the difference that is in the market. "Not every red oil is palm oil". Amberneg cooking oil is a sure banker when it come to palm oil, it is organic, unrefined, non-GMO and unadulterated vegetable oil that is affordable for your family to enjoy.
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