Take rice bran oil to live long exhorts minister

Chennai, Jun 30 (UNI) Being the second largest producer of paddy, India should become a world leader in production and consumption of Rice bran oil, for long and healthier life, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said today.

''As the second largest producers of paddy and the largest producer of Rice Bran Oil [RBO] in world, I would like to see India grow into the world market leader in both consumption and production of RBO,'' she said inaugurating the 10th national seminar on RBO.

India not only had the technology to produce finest RBO but also have enormous market, she said addressing the seminar, organised by The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), a premier association of vegetable oil industry and trade.

''I am confident that use of RBO will be useful in maintaining sound health of entire family and with its continued use each house will turn into a happy and a healthy home. Points deliberated here would help the government in formulating consumer benefiting edible oil polices,'' she said.

Centered on this year's theme 'Consumer Awareness-Need of the Hour', the seminar was held to educate the consumers about health advantages of using RBO as edible oil.

Mr M I Anver Ismail, Minister of Irrigation, Government of Sri Lanka and Dr V Chockalingam, Consulting Cardiologist, Chennai were the guests of honour for the event.

In India, every one hour, 90 people die of heart attack. In this scenario, it is important to understand what contributes to heart attack. Continuous RBO usage increases good cholesterol and reduces bad cholesterol level in our body. RBO in food and regular exercise are the keys to long healthier life, said Dr V Chockalingam in his presentation.

UNI