International panel of experts to promote health benefits of rice bran oil
The International Council of Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO) has been formed at the first meeting of the board of Asian Society of Rice Bran Oil held recently at Bangkok. Representatives from China, India, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam attended the meet and elected Prof. Dr. Xuebing Xu from Wilmar Global R&D Centre of China as the first President; Dr. A. R. Sharma, Chairman, Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) RBO Promotion Council and CMD, Ricela Health Foods Ltd. of India as Vice President and President-elect, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Riantong Singanusong from Naresuan University of Thailand as the Secretary-in-General of the Council.
Dr. B. V. Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, is also on the Board of ICRBO, representing India. Each country has two representatives on the Board of the Council. Mr. Ashok Sethia of Sethia Oils Ltd. has been being nominated as observer on the council.
The decision to set up the international council was taken at the 1st Thailand Conference at Naresuan University of Thailand attended by over 200 delegates from rice bran oil producing countries including from Japan, Thailand India, China and Vietnam.
The Council proposes to establish international scientific standard of rice bran oil (rice oil) and focus on value added products of rice derivatives. It also intends to promote and foster uniformity of commerce and trade among member countries in the fields of rice bran oil. More countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, South Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh, USA and Uruguay are expected to join the council.
The Council will seek to encourage and promote improved communications among rice bran producers, industry groups, academic researchers and local governments. It further proposes to enhance rice bran oil value addition and enlarge commercial application fields along with sponsor training programmes to assist members in their technical work and development to improve rice bran oil production and support nutrition research. The Council will also seek to create awareness among edible oil consumers across the world about the health related advantages of using the RBO.
According to Dr. A. R. Sharma, various studies have proved that rice bran oil helps to reduce cholesterol, reduce hypertension, help in blood sugar management, protects liver, treats menopausal symptoms and it is anti-inflammatory. Besides, it helps patients of osteoporosis, helps lighten skin, hydrates and is anti-ageing, he added.
