Belarus initiates a ban on the use of palm oil in baby food in the EAEU countries

Источник: The DairyNews
The scientific community is against the use of palm oil and its fractions in baby food. This was stated by Deputy General Director of the Scientific and Practical Center for food Elena Morgunova during the round table "How to make the food of Belarusians more useful?", which was held by the newspaper "7 days" in the press center of BELTA.
"We addressed the Eurasian economic Commission (EEC) through the State standard of the Republic of Belarus with the initiative, prepared the necessary certificates and analytical documents. Now the draft amendments to the relevant documents are under consideration by the EEC", said Elena Morgunova.

She noted that the ban requires the consent of all five EAEU member States. However, the Belarusian initiative has not yet found full support, in particular in the business communities of some States - partners in the Integration Association.

"So far, we have achieved the mandatory provision of information on the full composition of the product with a fat component, including palm oil and its fractions, if they are used", informed the Deputy General Director of the Scientific and Practical Center for food.

She noted that currently the use of palm oil in products, including baby food, is not prohibited. It partly consists of saturated fat, and its technological properties allow it to be used in the manufacture of margarine, confectionery and baking.

Manufacturers of infant formula use palm oil to bring the product closer to breast milk: this oil has palmitic acid, which is available in women's milk, and is not available in cow's milk. In addition, it is several times cheaper than animal fats. Meanwhile, according to scientists, palm oil contributes to the leaching of calcium from the child's body.

According to Valery Shilov, Head of the nutrition department of the Scientific and Practical Center for food of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Belarusian enterprises are now studying the possibility of complete replacement of palm oil with other vegetable oils. Ukrainian and Russian producers are already on this way.

At the same time, according to Elena Morgunova, scientists do not have accurate medical data proving the harm or benefit of palm oil yet. Only narrow pilot studies on the impact of palm oil on human health have been conducted in Belarus. Government support is needed to conduct long-term in-depth studies that require large expenditures.

Read full article in Russian on © DairyNews.ru www.dairynews.ru/news/belarus-initsiiruet-zapret-na-ispolzovanie-palmovo.html
30.01.2024
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