by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
‘Eat Right India’ Campaign in Mumbai, Biodiesel Association highlights twin benefits of RUCO
Under ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra,’ BDAI organised ‘Prabhat Pheri” to make people aware about Repurpose Used Cooking Oil for health benefits and producing clean Biodiesel
Mumbai, November 12,2018 . Expressing concern over health hazards resulting from Used Cooking Oil (UCO), Biodiesel Association of India (BDAI) urged people to eat safe and healthy by discarding harmful used cooking oil(UCO) and better allow it to be used for making clean automotive fuel- Biodiesel. To create awareness, the Association, partnering with ‘Eat Right India’ drive under the ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ awareness campaign being run by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). A ‘Prabhat Pheri”( Morning Walk) was held on 11th November at ICT Matunga to make people aware about Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) which focuses on creating an ecosystem for collection and conversion of used cooking oil to create biodiesel.
Hundreds of people gathered at ICT Matunga to participate in the Walk and raised slogan for ‘Eat Right India’ drive which focused on ‘Eat safe, Eat Healthy, and Eat fortified.’ The FSSAI has incorporated RUCO as a critical component of the drive. BDAI, in association with FSSAI, has become the main driver of the RUCO campaign.
According to Mr Sandeep Chaturvedi, President, BDAI, “total national vegetable oil consumption is 22.7Mn tons and Consumption of fried foods especially during festivals is very common in our country. We are seldom aware of the quality vegetable oil used in our fried foods. Generally, foods business operators do not use the same oil more than three times in order to maintain the taste and quality of their product.” But the UCO disposal remains a grey area and sometimes it finds way back into our food chain.
“UCO is a major health hazard and its toxicity causes several diseases. Under the new Biofuels Policy of 2018 UCO will be converted into clean fuel, thereby assuring health and sustainable green fuel for energy security. The country will leverage several socio-economic benefits. The state FDA’s will have to play key role of Education and Enforcement,” he added.
According to heart experts (Dr KK Aggarwal, MD Heart Care Foundation of India), reuse of cooking oil can be dangerous to the health, it can cause arterial inflammation, it can cause heart attack, blood pressure, paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease and continued use can also cause food allergy. Emphasising on safe food practices and disposal of UCO to produce biodiesel, Mr Chaturvedi said, “BDAI has been closely associated with the initiative taken by the and the FSSAI under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI to create nationwide awareness. Recently, we have launched the RUCO Software Application which will ensure complete trace ability of the UCO discharge till its conversion into Biodiesel.
The Association has assured the Oil marketing companies to provide 2.2Mn Kilo Litres of Biodiesel till 2022. Over the years, the Biodiesel industry has strongly been advocating regulatory and policy clarity on the use of UCO for biodiesel production.
The second leg of the Swasth Bharat Yatra departed from Mumbai to Manor, 88 kms away from the city. The flag off event was held inside the FDA office at Bandra Kurla Complex today. Monday happens to be a working day but the crowds were even higher in numbers compared to the weekend rally. Elderly men and women, young girls and boys all were present to extend their support for the cause of ‘Eat Right India’.
A popular marathi actress, Varsha Usgaonkar also made an appearance at the event along with several other delegates. The on-ground activation was all about recognition and appreciation for the people who played a key role in making Mumbai’s event a grand success.
Despite, being a working day, people gathered in large no for flagg off at the venue (FDA, Maharashtra office) – approx 500
Chief Guest: Famous Marathi Actress Ms Varsha Usgaonkar, Commissioner Food Safety, Maharashtra: Ms Pallavi Darade
After acknowledging the efforts of all involved who made Swasth Bharat Yatra in Mumbai a mass movement, rally was flagged off by Chief Guests. Approx 100 persons participated in cyclothon. Participants were from all sectors including local public, NCC Cadets, industry participation, Govt Officials (both from FDA and FSSAI, WR). Great energy and enthusiasm throughout the route.
1st en route Stopover and Activation: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Approx Participants: 200
Highlights: Media Feed, interaction of Media with participants on their experience of being a part of SBY
2nd en route Stopover: Dahisar Naka, Mira bayandar, Chief Guest: Commissioner, Municipal Corp.
Final Stopover: Royal Garden Resort (near Vasai)
Previous Article
