In an effort to create a benchmark for Organic Mustard Oil, Mustard Research & Promotion Consortium (MRPC) organized an exclusive panel discussion for the media on Organic Mustard Oil at The India Habitat Centre here today.

The discussion covered aspects of Organic Mustard Oil like Health & Nutritional benefits alongside the market potential for organic mustard oil. Dr. H B Singh, Executive Secretary, MRPC moderated the discussion. The panelists include Prof. S C Manchanda, former Professor and Head, Department of Cardiothoracic??? (Where is the noun?), AIIMS, Prof. A K Bhatnagar, Head Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Mr. Vivek Puri, Managing Director, Puri Oils Mills Ltd., and Ms Ishi Khosla, Clinical Nutritionist & Director, Whole Foods.

Announcing the launch of India’s first ever AGMARK Grade 1 Certified Organic Mustard Oil “P Sanjeevani”, Mr. Vivek Puri, MD of Puri Oil Mills Ltd., observed that “Estimated at Rs. 1200 Crore, presently the mustard oil market is growing at an annual growth of 22%. With the introduction of Organic Mustard Oil, this market will get a substantial boost.”

With the premium pricing of Organic Mustard Oil, farmers will also benefit from this green revolution. Though India has limited organic farms in Uttaranchal and Rajasthan, seeing the potential in organic mustard farming, other states are likely to explore the opportunity for future growth.

It is expected that many farmers might move to organic mustard farming due to the premium pricing it commands.

Though the Government has undertaken initiatives to promote organic growth under APEDA, a lot more needs to be achieved. As India follows EURO/ USDA standards for Organic Mustard farming, organic mustard Oil can find its way to exports as well.

Speaking on the nutritional benefits of Organic Mustard Oil, Ms Ishi Khosla, Clinical Nutritionist & Director, Whole Foods, expressed that, “Mustard oil is rich in MUFA and low in saturated fats and helps in cholesterol reduction. Organic oils are preferred as they are free of pesticides. Pesticides have far reaching health connotations right from causing low sperm counts to birth defects and cancer”.

Organic Mustard Oil has more antioxidants and vitamins as compared to normal oil, this prevents early ageing, with no presence of synthetic or pesticide residues, organic mustard oil prevents stomach and blood related ailments and also prevents cancer. It also helps in detoxifying the human body. Due to its low acid value, it can be used for repeated frying as well.

Speaking at the conference, Prof. S C Manchanda, Former Professor and Head, Department of Cardiothoracic ???, AIIMS, said, “Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the use of Mustard oil reduces the risk of CHD by almost 70% in comparison to other oils. Indian mustard oil is a heart healthy cooking medium because it is very low in Saturated Fatty Acids SFA (8%) and high in MUFA (70%) and alpha linolenic acid (10%).

Prof. Manchanda further added, “Renowned cardiologists have now started comparing the nutritional benefit of mustard oil with olive oil and have conclusive proof about mustard oil’s superiority in many respects when compared to olive oil. With the introduction of Organic mustard oil, olive oil gets a setback.

Over and above this, Linolenic acid, which is present in abundance in rapeseed is converted in the human body into Omega-3 Fatty Acid – this is known to prevent the common cancers, especially colon and stomach cancers. Therefore, the use of Mustard oil as a nutritional supplement should be initiated as a preventive measure at an early stage, for fighting common cancers on a long-term basis.