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A decision to set up international organization was taken at the 1st Thailand Conference on “Fats and Oils: Roles of Rice Bran Oil and its Products in the Changing Asia” held on May 16 and May 17, 2013 at Naresuan University of Thailand attended by over 200 delegates from Rice Bran Oil Producing countries including from Japan, Thailand India, China, Vietnam. The Conference aimed to promote and encourage International Technical Co-Operation, expansion of International Trade, promoting virtues of Rice Bran Oil & its consumption across the world.
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“The participant countries included India- the largest Rice Bran Oil producer in the world and China- the second largest RBO producer, besides Thailand- the host country,” says Dr. B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India on his return from the Conference.
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) is busy promoting the health benefits of one of the 'World’s Healthiest Oil' - RICE BRAN OIL known as the 'Wonder oil' to many leading cardiologists, dieticians, nutritionists and health advisors world over. Rice Bran oil with its ideal SFA/ MUFA/ PUFA ratio and EFA ratios most ideally matches the prescribed levels suggested by World Health Organization (WHO). As per the National Institute of Nutrition Hyderabad, 'RICE BRAN OIL' with its anti-oxidant properties helps in lowering Cholesterol and reducing the risk of intestinal cancer and osteoporosis.
While presenting the added benefits of physically refined Rice Bran Oil in India at the conference, Dr. A.R. Sharma, the largest RBO producer in the world and Chairman of SEA RBO Promotion Council, emphasized that physical refining is a better alternative to chemical refining to retain highest levels of Oryzanol in the refined RBO. He quoted various studies which proved that Rice Bran Oil helps reduce cholesterol, reduce hypertension, help in blood sugar management, protects liver, treats menopausal symptoms and it is anti-inflammatory. Besides, it helps patients of osteoporosis, helps lighten skin, hydrates and is anti-ageing, he added.
“Rice Bran oil is edible oil with naturally balanced fatty acid composition quite close to the latest recommendations by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). It contains unique nutraceuticals known to maintain the right balance of cholesterol besides promoting overall good health," Dr. Mehta added.
Speaking further on the properties of this 'Wonder Oil' Dr. A.R. Sharma said “National and international dietary advisory bodies now suggest almost balanced fat in-take with moderate levels of saturated and poly-unsaturated fat and higher levels of mono-unsaturated fat. Most of the edible oils commonly used in India do not contain the recommended fat composition. But there are a few edible oils popular in developed countries which are very closer to the latest recommendations even as single oil. These are rice bran oil, olive oil and canola oil. Rice bran oil is unique edible oil which is produced from oily layer (rice bran) of nutritious brown rice. It has higher levels of natural anti-oxidants making it the most suitable oil for frying. On the other hand olive oil and canola oil are not good for frying due to very low smoke point and very high level of instable linolenic acid in canola oil thus not suitable for Indian cooking.
"India is the second largest producer of rice, after China, the country has the potential to produce over 14 lakh tonnes of Rice Bran Oil, however currently it produces about 9 lakh tonnes, of which only 3 lakh tonnes are used a edible oil while the rest is used by vanaspati industry or blended with other oils and sold as branded products. It is our constant endeavor to support the small players to create visibility in retail chains and educate the consumers about the benefit of this unique oil,” said Dr. Mehta. He further added that "besides the health angle the price of rice bran oil is cheaper than that of Olive oil and is comparatively less than that of groundnut oil, inspite of superior health benefits.
For Further Information contact:
Vaidehi Joshi
Prana PR
M: 9619598680
