Oils and fats along with carbohydrates and proteins are major components of the human diet. Oils provide energy, fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D and Vitamin E) and essential fatty acids that are required for proper growth and development.

The penetration of edible oil is 99%, which is maximum, and hence oils are best source to reach out to the maximum people as vitamins A, D and E are oil soluble and can easily be distributed in oil. The stability of vitamin A is greater in oils than in any other foods. Every one consumes the vegetable oil, thus it is possible to improve the access to fat-soluble vitamins through FORTIFICATION. Vitamins are organic substances present in small amounts in many foods. They are required for carrying out many vital functions of body and many of them are involved in the utilization of major nutrients like protein, fat and carbohydrates. Though they are needed in small amounts are must for well being of body.

Means of Prevention of Child Mortality and human vitamin deficiency:

• a) Dietary Diversification
• b) Food Fortifications

Vitamin Deficiency is a widespread problem in India and worldwide and its impact on humans is well-established fact with 1.3 – 2.5 million deaths of children below 5 years because of Vitamin A Deficiency (WHO 1993). As per WHO estimates, around 80 million Indians are at a health risk due to Vitamin A deficiency, which is caused by prolonged dietary deprivation

• Oil is the best medium to infuse Vitamins A, D and E into human body as they are best soluble in edible oil
• Vitamins A, D and E remains quite stable at cooking temperature

Vitamin A, D, E Fortification:

Vitamin A

• WHO estimates, around 80 million Indians are at a risk from Vitamin A deficiency.
• Nutritional surveys have shown that in both rural and urban India, populations are consuming less than 50 per cent of the required level of Vitamin A.
• Primary vitamin A deficiency is usually caused by prolonged dietary deprivation
• Its deficiency can cause Night blindness or Xerophthalmia; Conjectural xerosis; Bitot's spots; Corneal xerosis & Keratomalacia
• 30.8% of children in India suffer from Vitamin A deficiency
• Vitamin A & iron deficiency leads to inadequate memory growth in children and mental inabilities of women and reduced resistance to infection

Vitamin D

• Vitamin D controls Calcium & Phosphorus in the human body the best
• Vitamin D sufficiency is required for optimal health. The conditions with strong evidence for a protective effect of vitamin D include several bone diseases, muscle weakness, more than a dozen types of internal cancers, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E deficiency may lead to Acne, rough, dry, scaly premature aged skins
• Increased risk of mortality

• Stability of Vitamin A is greater in oils than any other food and oil facilitates the absorption of Vitamin A by body.
• Universal use of oil would ensure that micronutrient reaches a significant population.
• Consumers shifting their preference to refined oils with unsaturated fats, which are more beneficial to health of customer.
• Oil consumption in India has gone up by more than one-third in the last five years to an average of 12 kg/person/year.
• Production and refining of oils is a centralized process.
• Milk fat and its products like ghee and butter contain natural Vitamin A from milk, as these products are replaced by vegetable oils, which do not contain any natural Vitamin A, are therefore required to be fortified with Vitamin A.
• Simple addition and blending
• No change in organoleptic properties

• India is a leading player in edible oils, largest importer (ahead of EU and China) and the third largest consumer (after China and EU).
• India consumes over 12 million tonnes of edible oils
• Palm oil (mainly imported) and soybean oil account for almost half of total edible oil consumption in India followed by mustard and groundnut oil.
• Branded edible oil accounts for 35% of total edible oil consumption in the country.
• Share of refined oil in the total edible oil market is estimated at 48%.
• 43% of edible oil availability in the market is accounted for by imports.
• In India, most of the vegetable oil are purchased by household or industrial buyers (food processors, restaurants, and hotels)

Following oil categories and oil-based products can be fortified

• Cooking Oils
• Vanaspati
• Margarines
• Shortenings
• Salad Dressings
• Other Oil Based Products

The total daily requirement of Vitamin A 2000 IU (600mcg RE), Vitamin D 400 IU (10 mcg)and Vitamin E 15 IU (15000mcg) per day per person through all means of diet is recommended. In India average consumption of edible oil/ fat per person per day is about 33 grams. Research data shows that the expected losses in cooking are on an average 40 %. It is also found that there is direct relationship between stability of Vitamin and oxidation state (peroxide value of fats/ oils). More the peroxide value (less the fat is fit for human consumption) & so greater will be the loss of Vitamins. Sufficient overages are to be added to compensate the loss of Vitamins, which occurs during storage or reaction.

Cargill India Pvt. Ltd being one of the key players in Indian branded edible oil market and its brands have premium over the competitors. While gaining the confidence of customer over a period of time with dedication to serve better to customers through our international exposure in terms of State of art plants, Food Safety, Quality, Packaging innovation etc.

The company has set the examples in market by giving "lite " oil and see through packaging. The company has gained the confidence, which is well evident as sale numbers as going up and up.

The company is further committed to give more and more to the customers and now decided to fortify the oils with vitamins like A, D and E, which is the worlds largest concern over deficiency. The company knows that it is costly affair and can not be charged to customers, has taken cautious decision to fortify oils and fulfill the corporate responsibility.

The objective of oil fortification is to provide 25 million Indians with essential vitamins through the fortification of Cargill's edible oils. It has launched Vitamin fortified oils in various brands. Gemini and Gemini are the leading brans in Indian market, which are now enriched. The level of fortification is equivalent of 40% RDA of vitamin A, 16% RDA of vitamin D and 5% RDA of vitamin E. The dosage recommended by us are well studied at laboratory by the experts.