Mustard Oil 250ml – KTC

Statement regarding use of Mustard Oil By Mr. Paresh Mehta, Manager KTC. “Thank you for your interest in KTC Pure Mustard Oil. The statement, “For External Use Only” on the product label is a clear indication that the oil should not be used as a food ingredient. The reason for this lies in the chemistry of oils and fats. All natural oils are composed of different fatty acids, the type and amount of which determine the oils properties. These fatty acids (often summarised on the packaging of edible oils as, saturates, monounsaturates and polyunsaturates) are inherently linked to the oils origin. In its pure form, mustard oil contains a fatty acid called erucic acid (cis-dos-13-enoic acid) at levels between 22% and 50%. EU Directive 80/891/EEC requires the erucic acid content of foods to be no greater than 5%. As a consequence, no pure mustard oil may be classified as a food. If you have used our oil as a food ingredient I do not believe you will have done yourself any harm; despite the erucic acid legislation, many members of the ethnic community (from the Indian sub-continent) persist in using mustard oil without apparent harm. Indeed many eminent chefs recommend the oil for the preparation and cooking of authentic dishes from India. In northern regions of India the oil has many uses (in addition to food use); as a baby oil, a mosquito repellent and as a hair conditioner, while many users also claim it is helpful in the massage treatment of muscular aches and pains. However, the European legislation obliges me to dissuade you from using the oil for culinary practice. Consequently, we are unable to supply recipes for foods which include mustard oil. Thank you once again for your enquiry and custom…”