Cooking oil refiners get gov’t assistance

More cooking oil refineries have availed themselves of the technical assistance provided by the government agencies and the Micronutrient Operational Strategies and Technologies (MOST) in enriching their cooking oil with Vitamin A as mandated by law.

MOST is a non-government organization (NGO) involved in the advocacy and promotion of food fortification in the country. It is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Some 40 oil refineries have requested for MOST-USAID technical assistance through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Eleven refineries have already conducted test runs on the adding or mixing cooking oil with Vitamin A. These tests yielded good results, as Vitamin A recovery was above 70 percent.

Among the cooking oil firms that have conducted successful test runs were the Pacific Oil, Limketkai Manufacturing, Inc. Ad Gothong International Oil Factory, Phidco, Unicab, Lu Do & Lu Ym, Mincoco, Jane’s Castor and Coco Oil, Ricor Oil Refinery, and Dumaguete Oil.