Dhaka:Repeatedly used or burnt cooking oil poses a severe threat to heart health, according to Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam. He urged consumers and food businesses to avoid using such oil to ensure better health outcomes.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Md Shafiqul Islam highlighted the dangers of burnt cooking oil during a seminar titled 'Harmful Effects of Used Cooking Oil on Human Health and the Environment.' The event was jointly organized by the BFSA and Biotech Energy Ltd at the BFSA headquarters in Dhaka.
The BFSA chairman emphasized the importance of consumer trust, advocating for food businesses to utilize fresh cooking oil, even if it results in higher prices. He noted that people would prefer paying more for food items cooked in fresh oil, as it enhances consumer confidence.
Islam also addressed the sustainable disposal of used cooking oil, suggesting that partnering with specialized companies like Biotech Energy could be an effective strategy. This approach would benefit both the environment and the businesses involved. He assured that the BFSA would support such initiatives.
During the seminar, BFSA member Dr. Mohammad Shoaib presented a keynote paper, discussing the generation of used cooking oil, its harmful effects, and the significance of consuming safe edible oil. He warned about the increased risks of health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer from repeated use of edible oil.
BFSA members A N M Nazim Uddin and Dr. Mohammad Mostafa attended the seminar as special guests. They advocated converting used cooking oil into biodiesel to prevent harm to human health and the environment.
Abdullah Al Hamid, Managing Director of Biotech Energy, stated that the company collects over 100 tonnes of used cooking oil monthly from around 3,000 food establishments nationwide, with plans to increase this to 1,000 tonnes by 2030. He also noted the significant environmental impact of improper disposal, as one litre of used cooking oil can contaminate nearly one million litres of water.
The seminar was attended by BFSA officials, Biotech Energy representatives, business representatives, media personnel, and other stakeholders.