Benefits of Palm Oil - an educational seminar by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC)

Malaysian Palm Oil Council hosted an educational module and a practical workshop in the City of Joy Kolkata for the students of Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management.

MPOC is a Council under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia.  Its role is to promote the market expansion of Malaysian palm oil and its products by enhancing the image of palm oil and creating better acceptance of palm oil through awareness of various technological and economic advantages (techno-economic advantages) and environmental sustainability.

The Council has set up a network of ten offices all over the world, mainly in China (Shanghai), India (Mumbai), Pakistan (Lahore), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Middle East (Istanbul and Cairo), Europe (Brussels and Russia), Africa (Durban) and Americas (Washington DC) to support, promote and venture into new areas for the industry. The plantation industry, particularly palm oil, is one of the main pillars of the Malaysian economy. The palm oil sector has contributed significantly towards providing a continuous inflow of export earnings through the export of raw commodity and valued-added products to the global market. In 2016, palm oil contributed USD 9 billion in export earnings for Malaysia and accounted for 33% of the world’s palm oil production and 39% of total palm oil exports.

The country today enjoys its economic prosperity and development through a strong foundation set by the industry and contribution in terms of export earnings and employment. It has long put into place guidelines, research, industrial and environmental standards that provide a safe, high quality Trans-free oil in a manner that supports the local economy, preserves the environmental resource base and is economically viable. Practices are constantly reviewed to ensure that best agricultural and management practices evolve in line with new research findings and international standards.

This event was specially designed by Malaysian Palm Oil Council keeping in mind the current requirement of the hospitality industry. Ms. Bhavna Shah, Country Representative of Malaysian Palm Oil Council for India and Sri Lanka conducted the educational module and shared her extensive knowledge on Malaysian Palm Oil , its various health benefits and how it is completely apt for Indian cuisines.

What Is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is an extremely useful vegetable oil that is derived from the various pulp of the of fruit of oil palms. The main varieties that are used in the production of palm oil are African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera). Palm oil is naturally reddish-orange in color because of its high beta-carotene content. It is also one of the very few naturally saturated vegetable fats that increase the LDL cholesterol levels in a person’s body.

Palm oil is commonly used as cooking oil in Africa, Southeast Asia, and certain countries in South America. It has become more popular in other parts of the world in recent years because of the health concerns of having too many trans fats in the diet.

Health Benefits Of Palm Oil

There are a number of health benefits associated with palm oil. Let us discuss them in detail below.

Improves Energy Levels

Beta-carotene is one of the prime components of palm oil which is very good for improving energy levels and boosting hormonal balance in the body.

Improves Vision

Beta-carotene is extremely importantfor improving vision. Many antioxidants can be found in palm oil, which are the powerful defensive mechanisms of the body. They are the beneficial by-products of cellular metabolism and can protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for a lot of cellular breakdown and mutation, including the damage that can cause vision issues. Using palm oil as a replacement for other types of oil can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

Prevents Cardiovascular Issues

Palm oil has a high content of HDL and LDL cholesterol, but even though one is good (HDL) and the other is bad (LDL), it can still create a healthier balance in your body. High levels of LDL cholesterol can increase your chances of atherosclerosis, which can cause strokes and heart attacks. By maintaining a healthy balance of cholesterol (both of which you need in your body), you can ensure a healthier cardiovascular system.

Reduces Risk of Cancer

Tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, are natural antioxidants that can help prevent cancer by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells, so high levels of tocopherol in palm oil are necessary.

Supports Healthy Pregnancy

Vitamin deficiencies are some of the most dangerous conditions that are faced by pregnant women and their unborn children. Vitamin A, D, and E are found in considerable quantities in palm oil, and since the body cannot naturally retain these vitamins, it is necessary to consume them in our diets. Thus, adding palm oil to the diet will ensure no occurrence of any vitamin deficiencies.

Next on the agenda was an exciting Young Chefs cooking competition for the students conducted by Malaysian Palm Oil Council. The students were given surprise ingredients and they had to cook a full course meal in Malaysian Palm Oil.

The winners of the cooking competition were as below mentioned

Winner  : Anjan Biswas
Second  : Titas Maity
Third : Subha Deb

Other categories winners
Best Presentation - Priyanka Saha & Anushree Saha
Best Starter - Sujoy Paul
Best Maincourse - Diljit Singh

Well-known chefs Chef Avijit Ray chef Riju Kumar Dey and Chef Mukul Sarkar were part of the judging process along with Ms. Bhavna Shah

The winners were felicitated with trophy and certificate of honour by Malaysian Palm Oil Council.

Some snapshots from the event:

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Bhavna Shah said, “We are thrilled to be at Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management. It is always a great feeling to interact with the youth of our nation, our future, and educate them on an important culinary ingredient, Malaysian Palm Oil and the various benefits it offers. With a 100-year history behind its development and growth in Malaysia, it is the answer to the nutrition needs of not only the Indian population but also globally. With its rich supply of vitamins and anti-oxidants, it has been proven to be a healthy component in the daily diet. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the students to not only win the MasterChef title but also to enhance their knowledge about this golden crop from Malaysia. I hope you guys continue the amazing work you are doing and keep growing.”

Speaking at the college, Principal, Mr Xavier Gomes, Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management said, “We are honoured that Malaysian Palm Oil Council organised this event at our college for our students. This educational module has definitely helped us to understand Malaysian Palm Oil better and its benefits and how well food can be cooked in it. The masterchef competition showcased the knowledge and skills of the students who were using palm oil for the first time. It was a great learning experience for our students. Thank you once again Bhavna ji and Malaysian Palm Oil Council.”

All in all, it was a great learning experience for all of us who were present at the seminar..

I will be using PALM OIL always for all my cooking needs from today itself - what about you??