Fatty acid profile of edible oils and fats consumed in India

- Total 320 commonly consumed oils and fat evaluated for fatty acid profile.
- Several 'Vanaspati' samples showed trans fatty acid beyond limit stipulated by FSSAI.
- Soybean oil exhibited TPUFA/TSFA ratio as per WHO recommend value.
- Coconut oil contained highest levels of saturated fatty acid.

A total 320 samples of edible oils and fats (Oils-236; Vanaspati- 45; Ghee-39) were sampled from 107 sampling sites in India and were evaluated for their fatty acid profile. This is the first comprehensive report on fatty acids profile of fats & oil commonly consumed in India. Every variety of edible oil showed its own unique fatty acid profile with significant variation within each individual fatty acid. Pure safflower oil exhibited the highest total TPUFA (76.78%) while the highest TSFA was noticed for coconut oil (90.84%). High level of erucic acid in the range of 48.5 to 54.2% was observed in mustard oil.. Groundnut and rice bran oils showed TPUFA/TSFA ratio closer to WHO recommended value. Several vanaspati samples exhibited trans fatty acid beyond the permitted limit while trace amount of the same was also detected in ghee.