‘No Palm Oil’ Label is a Marketing Gimmick, Not a Health Fact: IFBA

New Delhi – The Indian Food and Beverage Association (IFBA) has criticized the growing trend of labeling consumer products as “No Palm Oil,” calling it misleading and merely a marketing gimmick rather than a genuine health concern.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the IFBA highlighted that although palm oil has been a part of Indian diets since the 19th century, it remains widely misunderstood due to selective branding that preys on health-related fears.

Palm oil, the association emphasized, is one of the most affordable, versatile, and widely used edible oils around the world, known for its long shelf life and nutritional stability. Top global brands rely on it for both its functionality and economic value.

The association expressed concern that consumers are increasingly making food choices based on social media trends rather than scientific facts. It cautioned against taking health advice from influencers who often spread misinformation without proper nutritional knowledge.

“Labels like ‘Palm Oil Free’ have replaced sound dietary guidance and are now being used as marketing ploys to exploit consumer anxieties, especially in the FMCG sector,” the IFBA stated.

“Palm oil plays a legitimate role in a healthy, balanced diet,” said Deepak Jolly, Chairperson of IFBA, referencing the Ministry of Health’s dietary guidelines. “Yet, misleading labels such as ‘No Palm Oil’ prioritize marketing over science and confuse the public.”

He added, “These narratives divert attention from the real issue—maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet—and could jeopardize India’s push toward self-reliance, hurting everyone from farmers and manufacturers to consumers and the national economy.”

India consumes about 26 million tonnes of edible oil annually, of which nearly 9 million tonnes are palm oil.

Supporting this view, Shilpa Agrawal, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at IFBA, said, “The ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition’s Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 recognize the role of tocotrienols in palm oil, which help reduce cholesterol and support heart health.”

“It clearly recommends rotating between different edible oils, including palm oil, to maintain a balanced fatty acid intake. This is based on science, not speculation,” she added.

The IFBA also commended the Indian government’s initiative to boost domestic oil palm production through the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), launched in 2021 with an investment of ?11,040 crore.

With inputs from IANS