Dhaka:Speakers at a seminar have called for converting used cooking oil into biodiesel to mitigate health risks associated with its consumption. Repeated use of cooking oil, commonly referred to as burnt oil, is linked to increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, liver damage, and cancer.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Md. Shafiqul Islam emphasized the dangers of burnt cooking oil, noting that it is a significant health threat. He urged individuals and food business operators to avoid using such oil. The seminar, titled 'Harmful Effects of Used Cooking Oil on Human Health and the Environment,' was organized by BFSA and Biotech Energy Limited at the BFSA headquarters.
Shafiqul Islam advocated for collecting and using used cooking oil for biodiesel production, which could reduce environmental pollution and provide economic benefits. He also highlighted the need for food business operators to use safe cooking oil, suggesting that consumers would pay more for products fried in fresh oil. Building consumer confidence in the supply of safe food was deemed essential.
BFSA Member Dr. Mohammad Soaib presented the keynote paper at the seminar, which was attended by several other officials including Managing Director of Biotech Energy Limited Abdullah Al Hamid, BFSA Members A.N.M. Nazim Uddin, Dr. Mohammad Mostafa, and Md. Anwarul Islam.
Abdullah Al Hamid shared that Biotech Energy Limited currently 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 per month by 2030. The collected oil is processed into biodiesel at the company's factory in Savar. He stressed the importance of proper collection and recycling of used cooking oil, as improper disposal can severely contaminate water sources.