No one to ban lamp oil; temples turn to coconut oil

KOCHI: When the authorities are lax in preventing the increase of artificial oils in the name of lamp oil and sesame oil, which cause fatal health problems, the demand for using coconut oil in temples is getting stronger. Coconut oil is being used in many temples in the state instead of adulterated sesame oil and lamp oil, but neither the Devaswom boards nor the government has taken a decision in this regard.

These oils, which are not even worth a fourth of sesame oil, are used to light lamps in temples and homes, causing serious health problems. A large number of temple priests are suffering from diseases after inhaling smoke. Sesame oil is sold at a lower price than sesame creates the same problems. Lamp oil and non-edible sesame oil took over the market two decades ago due to the rising prices of sesame oil.

Lamp oil imported from other states is filtered, flavored, and labeled as unfit for consumption, with petroleum oils, animal fat, hotel waste oil, etc. added to it. The cover says that there is sesame oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, etc included in the content.

Price per kg

Genuine sesame oil ..................460 - 600

Adulterated sesame oil............200 - 350

Lamp oil...........................................80 - 200

Coconut oil ...................................175 - 190

'Lamp oil does not come under the purview of the food safety category. Action can be taken if it is used in food.'

PK John Vijayakumar

Food safety asst. Commissioner, Ernakulam

'Thousands of priests are facing health problems by inhaling the charcoal and smoke of lamp oil. They spit in black color. Asthma is widespread. This problem is acute in Devaswom Board temples.'

Soumithran Tantri

Sreebhuvaneshwari Temple, Aluva

'This includes the oil used to cook fish and meat in hotels. The production and distribution of lamp oil is a mystery. The government should investigate this and bring it before the law.'

VG Thambi

State President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad

Coconut oil is making a comeback

In Ernakulam, temples like Elamakkara Punnakal Bhagavathy, Pudukkalavattam Mahadevan, Perandoor Bhagavathy, Devankulangara Sri Bhadra and Trikovil have been using coconut oil for a year. Coconut oil is supplied by three small mills in the area. As such mills are widespread, it is not difficult to get coconut oil. The Udayamperoor Sree Narayana Vijayasamajam Sree Subrahmanyaswami Temple has been burning coconut oil from its own coconut for a month.