15/08/2009 (Bernama),Serdang - Palm-based mozzarella cheese being produced by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is expected to be marketed soon, research officer Dr Karimah Ahmad said today.

She said the product marked a first for Malaysia and it was launched by MPOB in January this year.

"We have taken five to seven years to produce the mozzarella cheese from palm. The product will be commercialised by D'Qisra Sdn Bhd," she told reporters on the sidelines of the 2009 International Conference on Oil Palm and the Environment here.

The palm-based mozzarella cheese is made from palm oil and production time is shorter compared to milk-based cheese, according to Karimah.

"What's really special about this mozzarella cheese is the absence of cholesterol compared to those products made from cow's milk which have high cholesterol. So, the palm-based mozzarella cheese is suitable for those who are health-conscious over their food," she said.

She also said that the cheese product has a huge potential in the markets of Islamic countries as it is halal.

MPOB nutrition division head Dr Zaida Zainal said the board has also succeeded in producing palm-based santan which has similar properties as santan made from coconut milk.

Zaida said the palm-based santan product, produced from oil palm mesocarp, could cut down on cholesterol and was also rich in Vitamin A and E.

She said the product, which was also able to last longer than the coconut milk product, will be commercialised next year.