The Indian Food and Beverage Association (IFBA) said the label trend creates negative perceptions of palm oil despite its long-standing role in Indian diets since the 19th century.

“Palm oil has a recognised place in a healthy and balanced diet,” said IFBA Chairman Deepak Jolly, citing nutritional guidelines issued by India’s Ministry of Health. “Labels such as ‘No Palm Oil’ promote perception rather than evidence-based nutrition.”

IFBA highlighted palm oil’s affordability, versatility, and long shelf life as key reasons it is widely used by global food manufacturers. The association warned that social media-driven narratives were encouraging consumers to make decisions based on trends instead of verified scientific data.

According to industry data, India consumes about 26 million tonnes of edible oils annually, with nearly 9 million tonnes coming from palm oil — underscoring its strategic importance to food security.

IFBA’s Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Shilpa Agrawal, referred to the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 issued by the ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, which recognise the cholesterol-lowering benefits of tocotrienols found in palm oil. The guidelines also recommend rotating different vegetable oils, including palm oil, to maintain balanced fatty acid intake.

The association also welcomed the government’s National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), launched in 2021 with a budget of ₹11,040 crore to reduce import dependence.

“‘Palm oil-free’ is not a substitute for sound nutrition advice,” IFBA said, urging consumers to be cautious of exaggerated health claims.