Awareness about the Hazards of Repeatedly Heated Cooking Oil

Abstract

Objective: To measure the hazardous contents in reused cooking oil and to find out the awareness about its effect on health. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2012. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect oil samples from home, and lower, middle and high class restaurants. A self-administered questionnaire was used in this process and the samples were analyzed in the laboratory of PCSIR for reused cooking oil contents. Results: A total of 28 oil samples were obtained from home, lower, middle and high class restaurants. Most of the respondents 12 (42.9%) were using same cooking oil 2 times, mixing of oil was done by 16 (57.1%) and 12 (42.9%) were aware about the hazards of reused cooking oil. The mean value of free fatty acid was 48.3 ± 5.4%, Peroxide (meq/kg) was 20.3 ± 9.12 and mean acid value was 0.88 ± 1.05% Conclusion: The repeated use of the same cooking oil is a very common practice in Pakistan due to unawareness of its hazards. In order to rectify this health issue, proactive measures should be taken both by the concerned authorities as well as the consumers to maintain a healthy lifestyle.