Experts call for stronger regulation of vitamin-fortified edible oil

Experts have called for stricter enforcement of regulations to ensure the availability of vitamin-fortified, safe edible oil in Bangladesh, warning that loose oil sales and inadequate fortification pose significant public health risks.

They made the remarks at a workshop titled 'Vitamin-Fortified Safe Edible Oil for All: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward', held on 11 November 2025 at BMA Bhaban, Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, with the participation of twenty-three journalists representing print, television, and online media.

Speakers said that marketing edible oil in open drums, a lack of opaque packaging, and the absence of vitamin D fortification remain major barriers to ensuring safe and nutritious edible oil. They stressed that the sale of open or drum oil contravenes government regulations and exposes consumers to contamination and adulteration.

According to the National Micronutrient Survey (2011–12), one in five children in Bangladesh suffers from vitamin A deficiency, while two in five lack sufficient vitamin D. Despite the Vitamin 'A' Enrichment in Edible Oils Act, 2013, most oils on the market contain little or no vitamins. A study by icddr,b found that sixty-five percent of edible oil is sold in drums, of which fifty-nine percent contain no vitamin A, and only seven percent meet legal standards.

Speakers further noted that these drums are often non-food-grade containers previously used to store chemicals or industrial products, allowing substandard and adulterated oil to circulate without clear labelling or traceability. They pointed out that, despite government orders banning the open sale of soybean and palm oil from July 2022 and December 2022 respectively, drum-based sales continue unabated.

They urged the Ministry of Industries, BSTI, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) to step up coordinated monitoring to enforce compliance and ensure fortified, safe oil for all consumers.

Experts also highlighted that vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of childhood blindness and maternal mortality, while vitamin D deficiency contributes to rickets, loss of bone density, and cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases. They said fortifying edible oil with both vitamins is a cost-effective public health intervention that can deliver essential nutrients through daily diets.

The speakers also underscored the importance of light-resistant, opaque packaging, as exposure to sunlight can destroy vitamin A and diminish oil quality.

Among the discussants were Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, former Director (Deputy Secretary), DNCRP; Mustak Hassan Md Iftekhar, Consultant, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute; Dr Ashek Mahfuz, Portfolio Lead for Large Scale Food Fortification (GAIN); Doulot Akter Mala, President, Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) and Special Correspondent, The Financial Express; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA. Key presentations were delivered by Dr Aliva Haque, Programme Officer, and Md Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programmes at PROGGA.