08/11/11 (Fiji Times) - The Ministry of Health has asked people to buy good quality oil to cook their food.

Although good quality oil is a bit expensive, people have been urged not to go for the different brands of cheaper oil available in the market.

People have been reminded that using good quality oil in a less quantity for cooking would help in the prevention of non - communicable diseases.

National NCD project officer, Ravinesh Chetty said people should try and buy vegetable oil for their daily cooking.

"People should not buy palm oil or other cheap brands of oil that are available in the market now because they can contribute to NCDs," he said.

"It's difficult to control the market but people can control themselves when it comes to buying food for their family needs."

Mr Chetty said people should also be mindful of how they cook their food, especially vegetables.

He said vegetables should not be deep fried but instead be cooked under minimum heat to ensure all nutrients remain in it.

"Also, people should use less oil when cooking and they should try and use good quality oil for their daily needs."

"There is too much fat in some brands of oil which will lead to high cholesterol levels."

"We are also carrying out the 5/20 program with the dental department and this is basically to ensure that children have all 20 teeth at five years of age."

Mr Chetty said children can have all 20 teeth at five years of age if they do not eat too much sweet things which decay teeth.

He said parents should also be mindful of what they give their children to eat.

According to the Health Ministry, more than 80 per cent of deaths in the country annually are because of NCDs.

One out of eight people in the country have diabetes, which has a prevalence of 60 per cent of the population while 90 per cent have hypertension.

The Health Ministry was given $400,000 in the 2011 Budget to fight NCDs and it has sought an additional $500,000 for next year.