Nafed launches fortified rice bran oil

E-launching `Nafed Fortified Rice Bran Oil’ last week, Sudhanshu Pandey, secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, said the initiative would significantly reduce the country's consumption dependence on imported edible oil in future. He also said that this will provide opportunities for Indian edible oil manufacturers further, and also will give an impetus to Prime Minister's Aatmnirbhar Bharat initiative. 

Nafed has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the production and marketing of fortified rice kernel. Nafed will market the rice bran oil.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Kumar Chaddha, managing director of Nafed, said the initiative will provide easy access to Nafed branded high quality rice bran oil, which will also give a boost to indigenous oil manufacturing industry.

It may be noted that rice bran oil has multiple health benefits, including lowering cholesterol level due to its low trans-fat content and high mono unsaturated and poly unsaturated fat contents. It also acts as a booster and reduces the risk of cancer due to the high amount of Vitamin E it contains. This oil has been recommended by the American Heart Association and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the best substitutes for other edible oils. Rice bran oil from Nafed will be fortified and it will be ensured that it will contain additional nutrients and vitamins. According to the FSSAI, fortified oil can help a person fulfil 25-30 per cent of the recommended dietary intake for vitamins A and D. Nafed Fortified Rice Bran Oil will be available at all Nafed Stores and also on various online platforms.