Latest news with #NMEO-OP
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
‘No palm oil' labels marketing gimmick: IFBA
The Indian Food and Beverage Association (IFBA), which counts McDonald's, Wingreens and Ferrero as members, has flagged 'no palm oil' labels in packaged foods as 'misleading marketing gimmicks', amid increasing number of brands using the tag claiming to be a differentiator. ADVERTISEMENT 'Labels like 'palm oil free' overshadow credible dietary guidance and have become a marketing tool. Food choices are often driven by social media trends rather than scientific evidence,' IFBA said, Tuesday. The organisation further 'cautioned consumers against taking health advice from influencers who amplify half-truths without nutritional expertise.' Dozens of biscuits, snacks and bakery products on retail shelves as well as selling direct-to-consumer have been promoting 'no palm oil' on their labels. Some of these are higher priced than packs of similar quantities. The note by IFBA further said palm oil 'continues to be misunderstood due to selective branding tactics that exploit health-related fears', adding that it remains a widely-used affordable and accessible edible oil.'In today's digital era, food choices are often driven by social media trends rather than scientific evidence. With India consuming 26 million tonnes of edible oil annually, including 9 million tonnes of palm oil, this trend has fuelled misconceptions,' IFBA added in the note, stating that palm oil 'has a well-rounded fatty acid profile with zero trans fats.'Shilpa Agrawal, director, scientific and regulatory affairs, IFBA, said: 'The Dietary Guidelines for Indians – 2024 of the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition clearly acknowledge the role of tocotrienols in palm oil in lowering cholesterol and supporting heart health. It recommends a rotation of edible oils, including palm oil, for a balanced fatty acid profile. This is science, not speculation.' ADVERTISEMENT Contrary to popular belief, countries worldwide are now promoting sustainable palm oil production, with the Government of India taking several steps to enhance domestic edible oil output, including the launch of the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 11,040 crore to boost oil palm cultivation, IFBA said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘No palm oil' labels marketing gimmick: IFBA
The Indian Food and Beverage Association ( IFBA ), which counts McDonald's, Wingreens and Ferrero as members, has flagged 'no palm oil' labels in packaged foods as 'misleading marketing gimmicks', amid increasing number of brands using the tag claiming to be a differentiator. 'Labels like 'palm oil free' overshadow credible dietary guidance and have become a marketing tool. Food choices are often driven by social media trends rather than scientific evidence,' IFBA said, Tuesday. The organisation further 'cautioned consumers against taking health advice from influencers who amplify half-truths without nutritional expertise.' Dozens of biscuits, snacks and bakery products on retail shelves as well as selling direct-to-consumer have been promoting 'no palm oil' on their labels. Some of these are higher priced than packs of similar quantities. The note by IFBA further said palm oil 'continues to be misunderstood due to selective branding tactics that exploit health-related fears', adding that it remains a widely-used affordable and accessible edible oil . 'In today's digital era, food choices are often driven by social media trends rather than scientific evidence. With India consuming 26 million tonnes of edible oil annually, including 9 million tonnes of palm oil, this trend has fuelled misconceptions,' IFBA added in the note, stating that palm oil 'has a well-rounded fatty acid profile with zero trans fats.' Shilpa Agrawal, director, scientific and regulatory affairs, IFBA, said: 'The Dietary Guidelines for Indians – 2024 of the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition clearly acknowledge the role of tocotrienols in palm oil in lowering cholesterol and supporting heart health. It recommends a rotation of edible oils, including palm oil, for a balanced fatty acid profile. This is science, not speculation.' Contrary to popular belief, countries worldwide are now promoting sustainable palm oil production, with the Government of India taking several steps to enhance domestic edible oil output, including the launch of the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 11,040 crore to boost oil palm cultivation, IFBA said.
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Reconsider decision on import duty cut on crude palm oil: TDP to Centre
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider reduction of crude palm oil import duty. A TDP delegation, led by MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, along with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, met the Union Home Minister on Tuesday. The delegation submitted a formal letter from CM Naidu, urging reconsideration to rollback the Centre's recent decision to reduce import duty on Crude Palm Oil (CPO) by 10%, as per gazette notification released on May 30. In his letter, Naidu highlighted that the timing of the duty reduction - announced during the peak plantation season - could seriously disrupt the success of the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) and hurt farmer income. 'This decision, while perhaps intended to address short-term concerns, stands to seriously undermine the long-term vision and efforts being made by both the Government of India and the States, including Andhra Pradesh, to promote oil palm cultivation under the NMEO-OP, Naidu explained. AP accounts for over 50% of the total oil palm cultivation area in India, with 1.74 lakh farmers cultivating across 2.49 lakh hectares. The State has already achieved 67,727 hectares of oil palm coverage, and targets an additional 50,000 hectares this year, he stated.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Naidu urges Amit Shah to rollback move on crude palm oil
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in a letter urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider Centre's decision to reduce import duty on crude palm oil. A delegation led by Telugu Desam Party Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu along with other TDP MPs and Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu called on Union Home Minister in New Delhi on Tuesday (June 17). The delegation submitted Mr. Naidu's letter urging the Centre to reconsider it decision to reduce import duty on Crude Palm Oil (CPO) by 10%, as per Gazette notification released on May 30. In his letter, Mr. Naidu highlighted that the timing of the duty reduction — announced during the peak plantation season — could seriously disrupt the success of the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) and hurt farmer income. 'The reduction in import duty will lead to an immediate drop in the price realisation for existing Oil Palm growers, thereby eroding their confidence and potentially dissuading prospective farmers from adopting this high-potential crop,' the CM said. 'This decision, while perhaps intended to address short-term concerns, stands to seriously undermine the long-term vision and efforts being made by both the Government of India and the States, including Andhra Pradesh, to promote oil palm cultivation under the NMEO-OP,' he said. Andhra Pradesh accounts for over 50% of the total oil palm cultivation area in India, with 1.74 lakh farmers cultivating across 2.49 lakh hectares. The State has already achieved 67,727 hectares of oil palm coverage from 2021–2025, and targets an additional 50,000 hectares this year under the NMEO-OP, the letter mentioned. The Chief Minister further said, 'Andhra Pradesh has taken proactive steps to promote Oil Palm expansion, including provision of incentives as per NMEO-OP, infrastructure development and farmers' outreach through awareness programmes and deep technologies with AI tools. However, such policy decisions at the national level risk undoing the momentum that has collectively built.' Meanwhile, Mr. Devarayulu reinforced the need for policy revision and support to farmers. 'Given the vital role these groups play in implementing NMEO-OP, I urge the Ministry of Cooperation to take cognizance of the issue and work with stakeholders to ensure price support and stability,' he urged Mr. Shah.
India Gazette
04-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Assam Cabinet approves expansion of Kaziranga National Park by over 47,000 hectares
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 4 (ANI): Assam Cabinet under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday approved the expansion of Kaziranga National Park by over 47,000 hectares under its sixth extension. According to the Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO), this will strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism at the Kaziranga National Park. CMO Assam shared an X post which said, 'Assam Cabinet has approved the expansion of Kaziranga National Park by over 47,000 hectares under its sixth extension. This move aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.' As per the X post shared by CMO Assam, villages Gopal Jarani, Gonaitapu, Jobre, Thute Chapori, Baligaon Biswanath Ghat, Umatamoni, Gakhirkhaite, Silghat and Hatimura are included in this expansion project. Expansion of the national park comes as a part of decisions taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati on May 21. Earlier, the Assam Cabinet decided to grant arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens residing in vulnerable, remote, and border areas of the state. The decision was made with a focus on enhancing the security of the people in the region. 'This scheme will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of such individuals and communities,' the Assam Chief Minister said. In addition to that, the cabinet has given the green light to a Rs 250 crore proposal for upgrading 34 polytechnics and 43 government ITIs into Centres of Excellence in collaboration with Tata Technologies Limited, aiming to boost skill development and employment opportunities. To honour Assam's stalwarts, the cabinet also approved renaming three institutions. The Sarusajai Sports Complex will now be called Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, the Mangaldoi Stadium will be renamed Raja Dharma Narayan Stadium, and the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development will be renamed Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development. The cabinet further approved land allotment by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to Greenko Energies for a 900 MW off-stream Pumped Storage Project in West Karbi Anglong, alongside relaxations in land categories for oil palm cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), enabling more farmers to benefit from the scheme. (ANI)
