Effective oil quality management in S.A.
In South Africa, fried food can be considered a significant item in the diet of many people. Consequently, this has resulted in large quantities of frying oil and fat being used and consumed by our community. Attempts to bring about savings in the cost of frying oil have resulted in large quantities of oil being heated repeatedly over long periods and hence becoming severely oxidised (i.e., abused). As a result, strict regulations were published in the Government Gazette of 16 August 1996 (No. R1316), which now makes it a criminal offence in SA to use edible oils and fats containing more than 25% polar compounds or 16% polymerised triglycerides (varnish-like compounds) for frying food. These products are formed during the extensive use of any frying oil and fat and produce poor quality fried food that may injure health.
One of the core tasks of the University of the Free State (UFS) is community service. This includes aspects such as poverty alleviation, health care, and the provision of scientific information. In this sense, the university has a responsibility towards society to alert the public against any malpractices that may be misleading or harmful to the general well-being of citizens. Exposure to abusive and misrepresentative practices concerning edible oil falls into this category.