Contaminants found in refined palm oil, palm olein oil, vegetable oils, and marine oils can cause cancer. According to health experts, we should avoid cooking oils with cancer-causing chemicals that are present even in refined rice bran oil, that is otherwise considered healthy.
Health experts have advised against using cooking oils with glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters. These pollutants threaten food and oil refineries worldwide.
When edible oils are heated to remove unwanted tastes, colors, and aromas during industrial refining, GE and 3-MCPD can form. While refined palm oil and palm olein oil have the highest concentrations, other refined vegetable oils (safflower, coconut, sunflower, rice bran oil, soybean oil, etc.) and refined marine oils (fish oils) also include these pollutants. When consumed in high amounts, the side effects of rice bran oil might be harmful to health. Rice bran oil contains omega-6-fatty acids that may cause cancer. In addition, it might lower blood calcium levels. It might also cause flatulence, gas, and stomach discomfort.
Health experts say the refined vegetable and marine oils release unwanted chemical compounds into food when deep fried, baked, grilled, or roasted, increasing health concerns.
Experts urge Indian health officials to set limitations like Europe’s as cancer incidence climb. Studies show that excessive GE and 3-MCPD consumption damages kidneys and male reproductive organs.
Doctor Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, emphasized the need to address carcinogenic chemicals like GE and 3-MCPD in cooking oils. Media reported, “GE and 3-MCPD in cooking oils must be addressed because to rising cancer rates. As oil pollutants can cause cancer over time.”
“With the rising cancer rate in India and extensive usage of cooking oils, government entities and FSSAI should implement these regulations. Dr. Rahul Bhargava noted that label compliance with GE and 3-MCPD limitations empowers customers to choose healthier and safer cooking oils.
Dr. Sushila Kataria, Director of Internal Medicine at Medanta, Gurugram, warned that GE and 3-MCPD pollutants in cooking oils can cause kidney damage and cancer. She stressed that Indian governments must regulate and reduce these pollutants in cooking oil to protect public health.
We must raise awareness of the health concerns of GE and 3-MCPD in cooking oils. GE and 3-MCPD can cause renal damage and cancer. Indian government laws should also reduce these pollutants in cooking oil. She advised picking cooking oils that meet EU safety standards of 3 MCPD & GE for health.
While India has made progress in controlling trans fats, there has been limited action in formulating guidelines for GE and 3-MCPD. To guarantee safer cooking oil usage, experts advise India to follow EFSA guidelines on these pollutants.
Conclusion
Health experts are urging India to set limits on cooking oils containing harmful substances like glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPD), which can cause cancer in the long term. These pollutants can form in edible oils during industrial refining, harming food and oil refineries globally. The high concentrations of these contaminants in refined palm oil and palm olein oil, as well as other refined vegetable and marine oils, can lead to increased health risks when used in cooking methods like deep frying, baking, grilling, or roasting. Experts advise Indian health officials to adopt European norms as cancer incidence rise. Consumers must follow GE and 3-MCPD label limitations to choose healthier cooking oils.
