Iron in our mustard oil ‘natural’

Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited (BEOL), a major producer of vegetable oil in the country, has claimed that the iron content in their mustard oil brand Rupchanda, is natural.

In response to a letter from Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution dated April 28 that told the company that the iron content in Rupchanda mustard oil is 3 ppm (0.003 gm/kg), higher than the prescribed standard, BEOL held a press conference on Wednesday. It said, “Processed through the traditional ‘ghani’ method, Rupchanda mustard oil is packed in its purest form where no foreign chemical or ingredient is added. The iron present in the oil is entirely natural from the seeds and this cannot be removed while keeping the oil quality intact.” 

It also claimed that Rupchanda is the top edible oil brand of the country, and has been awarded international certifications like AIB (American Institute of Bakers) and FSSC 22000.

Iron is in the list of heavy metals that are harmful for human consumption, a press statement from BEOL said, adding that a certain amount of iron must be taken daily in order to maintain a healthy body.

A BSTI report released recently said samples of 52 products -- mostly everyday consumer goods including mustard oil, drinking water, vermicelli, turmeric, chili powder, curry powder, salt, ghee, flour, noodles, and biscuits -- “failed” against BSTI parameters.

Following reports in the media about it, Conscious Consumer Society, a consumers’ rights organisation, filed a writ petition with the High Court, seeking its directive on the authorities concerned of the government for taking steps to seize or withdraw the 52 food products from the market. The HC on May 13 ordered the government to withdraw the 52 products from the market.