The Ministry of Health is recommending the use of Pure Virgin Coconut oil as the best alternative for cooking oil, at a time when living costs are high.

Health Spokesperson Iliesa Tora said this was confirmed after a research in partnership with The University of the South Pacific in which various cooking oils analyzed included Olive, Canola, Palm, coconut and virgin coconut oil.

Tora said since Fiji imports large amounts of palm oil rich in saturated fats, coconut oil is a better alternative.
 
However it has high saturated fat content and should be used in moderate amounts.

Compared to coconut oil, “Pure Coconut Oil” is healthier because it contains antioxidants which might have other positive health benefits.

The Ministry hopes that stakeholder can work together in large scale, commercial production of pure virgin coconut oil and with larger scale commercial production of pure virgin coconut oil over the next 3-5 years the market can determine the price tariff of locally produced cooking oils against imported varieties.