FROM MY DISCUSSIONS WITH GOOGLE GEMINI
*SURI*
A doubt. In India, learn most cooking oils contain about 30% crude oil (probably refined). This could be only adter extracting petrol, diesel, kero sene and every other thing. In effect, the final waste product, probably sfter refinement, mixed with cooking oils and. Right?
*Google Gemini:*
That's a very interesting and common misconception, but it's not true. Cooking oils do not contain crude oil or any refined petroleum products. Cooking oils and crude oil are fundamentally different substances from entirely separate origins.
*Composition and Origin*
Cooking oils, also known as edible oils, are lipids (fats) derived from plants or, in some cases, animals. They are composed of triglycerides, which are a type of fatty acid. Examples include oils extracted from seeds (soybean, sunflower, canola), nuts (peanut, almond), fruits (olive, palm), and other plant parts. The extraction process typically involves crushing and pressing the plant material, sometimes followed by refining to remove impurities, odors, and colors.
Crude oil (petroleum), on the other hand, is a fossil fuel. It's a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that formed over millions of years from the decomposed remains of ancient marine organisms. Crude oil is not suitable for consumption and is processed in refineries to create products like gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and various other industrial chemicals and plastics.
The confusion may stem from the fact that a petroleum-derived solvent called hexane is sometimes used in the large-scale industrial extraction of certain cooking oils to increase the yield. However, this solvent is then evaporated and removed, and the final product is an edible oil.
This video provides a visual explanation of how cooking oils are made from plant sources like soybeans.
What is Cooking Oil?
(Cooking Oils Explained
Link to YouTube video)
https://youtu.be/6779WgRAnGw?si=564l35nTv03WBnUV
*SURI*
Many thanks! But does it mean that cooking oils are not mixed with any other thing? Then why சுத்தமான செக்கு எண்ணெய் ( pure oil manufactured by old traditional method, wooden press oil-extractor) is sold at a very high price? What's the difference?
*Google Gemini*
Author: Jegadeeswaran Natarajan
licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International licens
Via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
சுத்தமான செக்கு எண்ணெய் (suthamana chekku ennai), which translates to "pure oil from a traditional press," is a type of cold-pressed oil that is very different from the common refined oils. The high price is due to the difference in the extraction process and the resulting product's quality.
Here's the breakdown of the key differences:
1. Extraction Method: Cold-Pressed vs. Refined
செக்கு எண்ணெய் (Chekku Ennai): This refers to oil extracted using a traditional "chekku" or "ghani" press. The seeds are crushed and pressed slowly, often with a wooden press, at a very low temperature. This process generates minimal heat, which helps to preserve the oil's natural nutrients, flavor, and aroma. No chemicals are used.
Refined Oils:
These are extracted using a "hot-pressing" method that involves high heat and chemical solvents, such as hexane, to extract the maximum amount of oil. The oil is then processed further through steps like bleaching, neutralizing, and deodorizing to make it colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
2. Nutritional Value
Chekku Ennai: Because it's a cold-pressed oil, it retains most of the beneficial compounds naturally present in the seeds, including vitamins (like Vitamin E), minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. This makes it a healthier choice.
Refined Oils: The high heat and chemical processing destroy many of the natural nutrients and antioxidants. Some beneficial fats can also be altered into trans fats during the process.
3. Flavor and Aroma
Chekku Ennai: This oil has a distinct, rich, and natural flavor and aroma that is characteristic of the seed it came from (e.g., groundnut, sesame, or coconut). This adds a unique taste to the food it is cooked with.
Refined Oils: The extensive processing removes the natural flavor and aroma, leaving a neutral-tasting oil. This is why it's often preferred for dishes where you don't want the oil's flavor to overpower the ingredients.
4. Price and Yield
Chekku Ennai: The traditional cold-pressing method yields significantly less oil from the same amount of seeds compared to hot-pressing. This lower yield, combined with the labor-intensive process, contributes to its higher price.
Refined Oils:
The use of high heat and chemicals allows for a much higher oil extraction yield, making the final product cheaper to produce and, therefore, more affordable for consumers.
In short, the higher price of சுத்தமான செக்கு எண்ணெய் is a reflection of its pure, traditional production method, higher nutritional value, and authentic flavor, which are all compromised in the mass-produced, cheaper refined oils.
*SURI*
So nothing is mixed or adulterated with cooking oils?
*GOOGLE GEMINI*
That's an excellent follow-up question, and it gets to the heart of a major consumer issue in many countries, including India.
While reputable brands and certified "pure" oils like சுத்தமான செக்கு எண்ணெய் are not intentionally mixed with foreign substances, the unfortunate reality is that adulteration of cooking oils is a widespread problem.
Adulteration is a practice where a substance is intentionally added to a pure product to increase its volume and, thereby, the seller's profit. In the case of cooking oils, this usually means mixing an expensive, high-quality oil with a cheaper, lower-quality oil.
Common Adulteration Practices in India
Mixing with Cheaper Oils: This is the most common form of adulteration. For example, expensive oils like mustard oil or sesame oil might be mixed with much cheaper palm oil or other refined vegetable oils.
Adding Non-Edible Oils: In some severe cases, hazardous non-edible oils like Argemone oil or mineral oil are mixed with cooking oil. Argemone oil, in particular, is a dangerous contaminant that can lead to health issues.
Adding Artificial Colors and Flavors:
Some adulterators add synthetic colors and flavors to a cheap oil to mimic the appearance and taste of a more expensive, pure oil. For example, essence might be added to palm oil to make it smell and taste like groundnut or sesame oil.
Mixing with Used Cooking Oil:
To cut costs, some unethical producers may mix fresh oil with used cooking oil, which contains harmful compounds.
How to Check for Adulteration at Home
While laboratory tests are the only way to be 100% sure, here are some simple methods you can use to check for common adulteration:
Refrigeration Test:
This works well for oils that solidify at cold temperatures, like coconut oil. Place a bottle of the oil in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Pure coconut oil will solidify completely. If it remains liquid or separates into layers, it's likely mixed with another oil.
Foam on Heating:
If the oil foams excessively when heated, it could be a sign of adulteration.
Paper Test:
Put a few drops of the oil on a piece of white paper. If it leaves a sticky or greasy stain that doesn't dry easily, it may be adulterated.
Smell and Taste:
Pure, cold-pressed oils have a distinct, strong aroma and flavor. If the oil has a synthetic, metallic, or unusually pungent smell, or if it tastes bitter, it might be adulterated.
The best way to ensure you are buying pure oil is to purchase from reputable brands that provide quality assurance and, ideally, choose oils that are FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) certified.
*SURI*
So it could be true that up to 30% mineral oil (by the way, what is that?!) is mixed with cooking oils, to keep the price low and accessible to all and at the same earn more ptofits?
That's a critical question that highlights the dangerous side of food adulteration.
First, let's clarify what mineral oil is. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that is a by-product of crude oil (petroleum) distillation. It is fundamentally different from vegetable oils. While highly refined, pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil is used in products like baby oil and some laxatives, it is not meant to be a food ingredient.
Now, regarding your question about it being mixed with cooking oils:
It is absolutely not true that up to 30% mineral oil is legally or acceptably mixed with cooking oils. In fact, any amount of mineral oil found in cooking oils is a violation of food safety standards and is considered a serious case of adulteration.
Key Points on Mineral Oil Adulteration
It is Illegal: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has a strict prohibition on the sale of food articles, including cooking oils, that have been coated or mixed with mineral oil. It is explicitly listed as a prohibited substance.
It is Dangerous: The consumption of mineral oil, especially in large quantities, can be harmful to health. It is a laxative and can interfere with the body's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), leading to long-term nutritional deficiencies. Ingesting mineral oil can also cause gastrointestinal issues and, in some cases, severe health problems.
The Motive is Profit, Not Accessibility: The reason for this type of adulteration is not to "keep the price low and accessible to all." It is purely for illegal profit. Unethical manufacturers mix expensive edible oil with a very cheap, non-edible substance like mineral oil to sell a larger volume of "oil" for a much higher profit margin.
The Source of the 30% Figure
The idea that a large percentage of mineral oil could be mixed with cooking oil likely stems from anecdotal evidence or unverified claims about illegal practices. While it is possible that some fraudulent manufacturers might mix mineral oil to that extent, it is not a standard or accepted practice. Such a high concentration would likely be detectable by a consumer (though not always) and would pose a significant health risk.
In summary, the statement is a dangerous falsehood. Mineral oil is an industrial substance derived from petroleum, and its presence in cooking oil is a sign of illegal and harmful adulteration.
What do Government of India say about mixing refined mineral oil or for that any othef substance? Anu specific, categoriczl rule and standards?
The Government of India has a very clear and categorical stance on the mixing of any substance, particularly mineral oil, with cooking oils. The regulatory body responsible for this is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which operates under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Here are the specific and categorical rules and standards:
1. Categorical Prohibition on Mineral Oil
The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 explicitly states that:
"No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, food articles which have been coated with mineral oil, except where the addition of mineral oil is permitted in accordance with the standards laid in these regulations and Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011."
Furthermore, it is clearly stated that "no oil or fat of animal or mineral origin shall be used in manufacture" of blended edible vegetable oils.
This means that mixing mineral oil with cooking oil for human consumption is strictly illegal and a serious offense. The law is designed to prevent such a dangerous practice.
2. General Rules on Adulteration
The FSSAI defines adulteration broadly as the act of mixing, or substituting a pure food product with a different, often inferior, substance to decrease its quality and increase profit. The law is very specific about what constitutes an "adulterant" and what the penalties are for possessing or using them.
Penalties for Possessing Adulterants (Section 57):
If the adulterant is not injurious to health, the penalty can be up to ₹2 lakh.
If the adulterant is injurious to health (which mineral oil would be considered), the penalty can be up to ₹10 lakh.
Penalties for Unsafe Food (Section 59):
If a food business operator manufactures or sells food that is unsafe and it results in a non-grievous injury, the punishment can be up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹3 lakh.
If the unsafe food causes grievous injury, the punishment can be up to six years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
If the unsafe food results in death, the punishment can be a minimum of seven years of imprisonment, extending to life imprisonment, along with a fine of at least ₹10 lakh.
3. Regulations on Blended Oils
The FSSAI does permit the sale of "Blended Edible Vegetable Oil," but this is a very different category from adulterated oil. The rules for blended oils are also very strict:
Only two edible vegetable oils can be mixed.
The proportion of any single vegetable oil in the blend must be no less than 20% by weight.
The blend must be clearly labeled and sold in a sealed, tamper-proof package.
The label must state "Blended Edible Vegetable Oil" and the name and percentage of each oil in the blend.
The final product must be free from any foreign matter, including mineral oil, and must adhere to all quality standards for each individual oil.
In conclusion, the Government of India, through the FSSAI, has a very specific and strict legal framework in place to prevent the adulteration of cooking oils. The mixing of substances like mineral oil is explicitly prohibited, and those who engage in such practices face severe penalties, including hefty fines and long prison sentences.
Wonderful! Immensely grateful to you for clear and exhaustive answers for my queries!🙏🙏🙏
Google Gemini
You are most welcome! I'm glad I could provide you with the information you were looking for. Understanding these details is crucial for making informed choices about the food we consume.
If you have any more questions in the future, whether about food, science, or anything else, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help.
General Advice to readers:
Read labels carefully, look for FSSAI certification logos, and buy from trusted brands before buying.
Grateful thanks to PERPLEXITY AI for the clear explanations and Mr.Jegadeeswaran Natarajan and Wikimedia Commons for the image.
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