04/08/2015 (The Star) - Correcting misconceptions about palm oil is crucial as the industry and the livelihood of half a million employees is at stake, a minister said.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said that despite positive outcomes from researches on palm oil, doubt and criticism remained.

“In order to present the best choices to consumers, accurate information must be made available to them,” he said in a statement, read by ministry secretary-general (plantation and commodity) Datuk M. Nagarajan at the fourth Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC) yesterday.

Douglas said currently there were a number of products created from research of palm bioactivities, which have generated the most significant interest, opportunities and market commercialisation potential.

“Compared to bioactivities from alternative sources, palm bioactivities are distinguished by their high nutritional value and ready supply from sustainable sources.

“They are also more potent, be it in increasing our body’s antioxidant capacities, combating the onset of degenerative diseases, or enhan­cing the quality of life,” he said.

Douglas added that the confe­rence would help create greater awareness and understanding on palm oil nutrition and palm bio­active ingredients, as well as its uses in food and cosmetics.

Organised by Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the two-day conference saw 20 speakers presenting papers on the role and benefits of various palm products, its nutritional effects and commercialisation of palm nutraceutical.