Aparna Shivapura lists out the dangers of refined packaged oils and its harmful effects on health.
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Did you know there is a low-ebbed yet, a powerful movement working tirelessly to change some of our lifestyle habits, which are passively and significantly affecting our health and fitness? A movement that is much-needed to ensure we make paradigm shifts in our approach to consumerism.
This movement is going to affect one of our most common habits, a part of our lifestyle that has gone unnoticed for generations. This movement is towards a complete transformation in the way edible and essential oils are extracted, processed and packaged. With this bold step, the age-old wood-pressed method of oil extraction is back, and it is called the Ghana method of natural seed/oil extraction.
This is not only a commitment towards a global and ethical method of manufacturing and selling edible essential oils, but also an endeavor to ensure people get seamless and trusted access to nutrient-rich and healthy oils for daily consumption.
Health Hazards of Edible and Essential Oils
Golden color, flavor and odor-free edible oils, increasing shelf-life, in addition to voluminous requirements from consumers, over the years have put manufacturers and distributors on the path of risky-mechanization! Studies, research reports and best practices have emerged over the years, to bring greater awareness into what we put into our plates, literally.
Some of the long-term harmful effects of these oils include:
- Carcinogenic - Increased risk of cancer coming from the user of nickel in some popular brands
- Digestive Disorders - Sodium hydroxide used in some oils increases risk and disturbs the digestive system causing ills like ulcers, gastro-enteritis, cysts and tumors
- Respiratory Disorders - Bleaching, de-waxing, de-odorizing, de-gumming and other core processes result in harming and weakening the respiratory system. Some reports indicate that they also reduce blood circulation to the brain
- Cardio-Vascular Disorders - High temperatures used to refine the oils removes the natural substances, nutrients in the oil. This also significantly increases the fat content in the oils causing cardio-vascular health issues
Manufacturers package these oils in ‘good-looking’ merchandise and price it competitively, thereby, increasing the wide consumption and increased usage. Looks are deceptive, as the saying goes, and there is danger lurking in every single oil-based meal, we eat over years.
A ‘Pure’ Form of Extraction
Interestingly, and with a promise to transform the compromised space of edible oils, a new crop of entrepreneurs is heading back to traditional and ethical farming to source original, authentic seeds. They are in fact, working towards transforming the entire lifecycle of edible oil extraction and distribution. An emerging methodology is actually a resurgence of a13th Century method of oil extraction called, Ghana Method of Oil Processing. A traditional method of oil processing, this involves the use of oil extraction using wood from Albizia Lebbeck trees.
The changes are interesting and guaranteed to give us the gift of wellness. For instance, twenty kilos of pure groundnuts are put into the wood-pressers, extracting about 7 – 8 liters of oil, with absolutely no additives, colors, flavors or chemicals. Twenty kilos of dry coconut generate about 40 – 45% pure coconut oil. The oils are collected in steel containers, also coming from a conscious decision to stay away from plastic usage. The dust emanating from the first crushed oils also needs to settle to filter out dust-free oil. Different types of containers are placed for each of these processes.
Here, the entire lifecycle is reformed, from collection of authentic, pesticide-free raw materials, to traditional methods of extraction and also plastic-free storage and distribution.
Inspiration to Innovate and Re-create
Today, some connoisseurs and new-age thinkers are trying to bring people close to an uncomfortable truth. Generations of people have been consuming packaged oils, unaware of the extent and methods of adulteration that have gone into its making.
It is established with recent research studies that, people are consuming the most adulterated forms of edible oils in the garb of ‘pure’ oils, irrespective of bringing home the most popular brands. It is time to change the game; it is necessary to bring people close to the concept of natural extraction; and, warn consumers of the alarming levels of contamination we consume in our daily foods!
Studies now indicate that the natural seeds and oils extracted from them are far safer and nutritious. One type of oil being produced and gaining popularity is from Niger seeds, also called uchellu locally. Bringing these ‘extinct oils’ back is also a great way to familiarize next-gen and the millennials on the different types of traditional oils like uchellu, castor and mustard oils. A generation which has grown up seeing, consuming only packaged refined oils has no idea about traditional oils at all.
Harmful preservatives, anti-foaming agents, coloring agents are all packaged into the deceptively good-looking oil packages, we bring home every month! As regular consumers of edible oils, we have to be aware and cognizant of oils that have to be extracted and packaged without the RBD process.
The RBD or the rinsing-bleaching-deodorizing process is part of the packaging process and is extremely dangerous for human consumption! A safe and healthy alternative is pure and toxic-free coconut or groundnut oil for daily consumption.
All Yellow is Not-GOLD!
A deeper analysis shows edible and essential oils are amongst the most easily adulterated products in the market. The most hygienic, safe edible oils are the age-old wood-pressed oils and this knowledge has to be disseminated to all consumers, without losing time.
The ideal way of bringing edible oil to the consumer has an entire process in place: Raw materials are to be sourced from well-bred seeds in their 100% natural forms. They are to be untouched by hand and collected and stored in hygienic environments. The oils are to be neither bleached nor refined, ethically sourced, produced, packed and supplied.
Every product needs to be clinically tested and approved before its release to the market or retailing. This ensures that the nutrients and vitamins are retained to the best possible levels! Interestingly, natural oils have to, be extracted in room temperature, under 40 degrees to retain the nutrients and making it absolutely safe for human consumption, and this is possible only with the Ghana method. With the mechanized, bulk processing methods, the temperatures soar, leaving the oils rid of all nutrients and causing harmful chemical changes.
The making of cold-pressed coconut oil, for instance, begins with sourcing premium quality whole coconuts which are first shelled, put through a 48-hour sedimentation process and then through the churning process.
Plastic-free Production, Packaging and Distribution
Many of the new and emerging brands in this space are also advocating a no-plastic philosophy. In some brands and their outlets, all team members also follow a no-plastic policy. All utilitarian elements on the shop-floor are either glass or steel. This is a conscious endeavor to make the ecosystem more sustainable and bio-degradable!
As we all know, less consumption of plastic means less exposure to carbon dioxide. It is established that long-term and continual use of plastic increases the risk of terminal illnesses among humans, endangers animals, contaminates our water, air and food!
An Informed Consumer, an Enlightened Consumer
A visit to such manufacturing facilities is not only an eye-opener to the importance of consuming safe edible oils, it is also a reminder of how the Indian consumer has mindlessly adapted to packaged products that have only risked health and wellness for people across ages!
To switch to these products, experiencing and understanding the difference and importance of consuming wood-pressed non-adulterated oils, different type of oils, their advantages and health benefits and the importance of using them, daily! It can also be a well-spent family activity!
The farming community is another direct beneficiary of promoting the manufacture and consumption of such oils. A single act of a conscious and informed decision by a consumer can add significant value to the other end of the ecosystem. It is important that the farmers get a premium price and not a discounted price for growing such healthy crops, for playing a critical and imperative role in growing organic crops.
Modern Oil-extraction Methods
If you have lived in rural India or have heard tales of life in rural India, you would know that consuming edible oils from wood-pressed methods, was the only way to having it! Over time, with extreme mechanization and automation, this tradition waned and almost was on its last steps to extinction!
A few connoisseurs have saved the day for these traditions and it has also lifted the veil on many aspects, simultaneously – on the gifts of health, on the levels of contamination and on the importance of using traditional, native and organic methods in our lives!
About 95% of consumers even today go for packaged oils and on the rather bleak side are far from taking a step towards holistic foods and wellness. As an illustration, to extract one liter of consumable groundnut oil, one needs at least 3 – 4kgs of good quality groundnuts. However, in most outlets, the cost of 1 kg groundnut and 1liter groundnut oil is usually the same! Mathematically and ethically, somehow, this does not render a feeling that all is well!
In the modern solvent method of extraction, one can get a higher yield of oil. A method where a solvent is blended with the raw material to enhance its extraction value, using the distillation process. A method of diluting quality, contaminating it with harmful chemicals is almost standardized and mechanized.
Solvent extracted methods for edible and essential oils is a new-age method, which primarily uses Hexane, as it enables and higher quantity of oil recovery, narrow boiling point and excellent solubilizing abilities. It is almost a universally accepted chemical solvent, if used in safe permissible limits. The seeds are dissolved in this solvent and results in higher oil extraction, and it is mandated that the solvent contents are to be removed before final packaging. The commercial objective of this is to provide higher yield of oils for the consumer.
Reports and studies have shown that manufacturers mix residues of petrochemicals to these edible oils in the packaging processes. Of course, as one would now know it, these definitely have carcinogenic and other harmful contents, with the potential of causing fatal illnesses – including cancer, diabetes, kidney and renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases and more!
The period between 1985 and 1990 heralded the arrival of palm oils from Malaysia to India and was the first nail to the coffin of traditional oil-generating methods. The seeds and the crop failed to fetch the desired prices and therefore declined sharply. A reduction in the seed production naturally gave rise to high demand and led to imports and the results are there to see.
Some players in this space even use paraffin, white oil or mineral oil and brand them as edible oils. Mineral oil is banned in Europe and should be banned here too. Unfortunately, many leading cosmetic companies, skincare, lip care, hair care and other beauty products are using mineral oils in their ingredients. This is highly harmful! A thorough investigation would make a good first step towards enlightening our consumer fraternity, instead of a half-hearted approach by a few mindful citizens!
Challenges in the path of transformation
While the future for organically and naturally produced oils is bright and encouraging, there are some challenging realities too. This particular method of oil extraction is definitely cost and capital intensive. Acquiring the machines is only one aspect of the investment. The business takes a very long time to break even and yield profits, albeit, marginal. Selling the byproducts is absolutely essential to break even. There are other issues like machine wear and tear, maintenance and so on! Reports indicate that Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have higher number of traditional oil-extraction set-ups than Karnataka.
Next-gen Consumerism
New-age entrepreneurs envision a new experiential phase in consumerism, where people buy products more and more consciously and with ethics as a value, at the forefront of the decision. A transparent method of manufacturing processes, where companies can put up their production methods, for people to experience and then buy, should be the mandate. Every consumer who buys, who is likely to buy is eligible and has a right to know how it is made!
Every consumer has to benchmark the product on the shelf not only for its good looks, or false promises but for real value for money, for wellness, for nutrition and safety, for being cruelty-free, and no negative health impacts through a high level awareness. These and more should be the guiding force behind every product that is placed and bought off-the-racks! Beauty and health are really skin-deep.
With AI, Cloud and new-age technologies, this should be easily doable, in my opinion. The movement is not only that we consume safe products, hygienic products, cruelty-free products, but also products that are sustainable, that are bio-degradable, and we consciously give back holistic wellness to planet Earth.
This is not only about healthy food, this is, as I said, about something larger, meaningful and valuable for the current and next-gen. This is not only going to transform the products we use; this is going to change how we CHOOSE, how we transform the entire lifecycle, thereby safeguarding our ecosystem. How we choose to live will eventually determine how we contribute to larger goodness and of course, preserve the environment. Make that CHOICE, here and now.
By Aparna Shivapura
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SAPTHAM TAILA – PURE, AESTHETIC & COMPASSIONATE
Saptham Taila took birth in 2018 and is amongst those path-breaking brands, companies whose leader thought it his ethical mandate, his moral calling to ensure that the most commonly used product, that the highest consumed product is consumed safely and nutritionally. That led his entrepreneurship initiative towards installing wooden-ghanas.
SAPTHAM is guided by a mission, a commitment to change the game. A mission, which has set Manohar on a journey unfolding itself in ways he did not even imagine. He is now spending sleepless nights understanding the food industry and levels of adulteration/contamination.
The philosophy is around extracting oils in its most natural, un-contaminated, nutrient-embedded forms and of course, in the most hygienic methods. While there are many other players trying their hand at wooden-pressed methods or bull-driven methods, Manohar is strictly against animal cruelty and hence, has resorted to the ghanas. “I can happily say, the brand is pure, safe, aesthetic and also compassionate.”
Manohar firmly believes that this was a conscious decision he took to ensure that the brand, its purpose and vision are clearly articulated and understood by a larger number of customers. “Administrative, legislative, judiciary and the media can surely play a great role in initiating a change in the food and consumer industry,” he says.
Transparency is one of the hallmarks of this brand. Not only the city folk but youngsters, all age groups of people need to understand this process and the importance of consuming such oils. His focus is on strengthening his existing customers and also have new buyers, essentially to ensure that they have access to good and hygienic food!