Govt to ensure correct labelling in oil brands, rules out ban

In the wake of a report claiming that harmful levels of trans-fat content in cooking oils make them unfit for consumption, the govt has said it will ensure correct labelling on products to create awareness among the people about the issue, but ruled out any immediate ban on trans-fats. Describing trans-fats as a "danger on the health of Indians", Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said while he had taken cognisance of the issue, imposing a ban on any product content requires availability of substitutes. "There are a number of health issues in India. We have the problem of under-nourishment and over nourishment as well. We, therefore, cannot have a pan-health policy. "Trans-fats are a danger on the health of Indians. As a first step, we need to create awareness among the people about the issue, ensure correct labelling and a lot of noise has to be made in this regard," he told reporters at New Delhi on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report released on Tuesday. He said the newly established Food Control Authority will examine the report which revealed that there are dangerous levels of trans-fats in all samples of vanaspati oils. "We have just introduced the labelling concept in all products and we will slowly ask the industry to list the level of trans-fat present in the product," he said. Health Secretary Naresh Dayal said a ban on trans-fat is not immediately possible as there are no substitutes to this content. "We can't just immediately impose ban on a product. Before doing that we should look at the availability of the substitutes. I certainly accept that trans-fats are detrimental to one's health," he said. Dayal said one should understand that increasing the price of vegetable oil in India is a "politically-sensitive" subject. "We can't just ban something overnight, create a shortage and increase the price of vegetable oils," Dayal said. Ramadoss said the Government will need time to impose a ban on trans-fats as a number of issues are involved.

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