Mamador strikes gold

It is not every vegetable oil product that can gather the confidence to approach the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), an affiliate of the World Heart Federation, Geneva, for endorsement as heart-friendly oil. The dire consequence of eventual failure and not meeting the global standard would discourage uncertain brands from going for assessment and validation.

It is understandable that the utmost process would be followed by NHF, as whatever it does has international recognition and interest.

Therefore, it strikes attention when any brand decides to approach the body for endorsement. It is a mark of confidence and reliability on the ingredients and the quality of final product for human consumption, especially in a time of healthy eating heightened consciousness.

With absolute belief on its Mamador cooking oil product, PZ Wilmar, a joint venture between PZ Cussons and Wilmar International, one of the largest vegetable oil makers, submitted the product to NHF for examination and subsequent endorsement. For about 4 years, the body with international recognition, which has the objectives to prevent heart diseases, promote and support research on cardiovascular disease and create public enlightenment on prevention of heart diseases and promotion of heart health, subjected the product to various scientific tests.

Of course, the body wanted to act thoroughly in order to justify its eventual scientific claim on the product and whatever result it would come out with. Therefore, it took its time to examine the product or otherwise authenticate the product as heart friendly product. At the end of the examination, the group endorsed Mamador as heart friendly cooking oil product and recently awarded it certificate for this great feat.

This milestone achievement by Mamador has become significant at a time the awareness about healthy eating has heightened, but more importantly when consumers are not sure of what to consume, to avoid health issues such as heart diseases, cholesterols and obesity.

The existing confusion for healthy products was emphasised at the presentation of the endorsement certificate to PZ recently in Lagos, when the executive director of NHF, Kingsley Akinroye representing the President of NHF, Oladipupo Akinkugbe, said the foundation has had experience with product labelling.

He said for Mamador to come to Nigeria and approach NHF that they wanted a label, it put the NHF to task and “we have to prove ourselves because whatever we are doing is global and we have to be accepted globally to be given recognition. We have to take every needed step systematically and ethically. We thank Mamador to challenge us again.”

According to him, the body has had some experience with labelling since 1998 and as such, the endorsement of Mamador is remarkable in the world and has scientific backing. “Whatever we are doing, it is not just for Nigeria but globally, and for us to endorse any product, we need to take every needed step systematically.”

Akinroye who attributed heart disease especially among black population to fat, however, said that science is dynamic, “what you said is false today can be the truth tomorrow and what you need do is to keep on researching.”

Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, the marketing director of PZ Wilmar, who received the certificate, expressed happiness at the endorsement of the Mamador product.

“On our part, this again is a promise made being fulfilled today. The NHF approval is a demonstration of the commitment of PZ Wilmar to make products that are relevant and beneficial to the consumer in each local market. All the benefits and claims of the brand which include its cholesterol free claim, vitamins fortification and Omega 6&9 were all tested and adjudged to be true claims and therefore certified by NHF as a brand that promotes heart health.”

He further said that the approval is in addition to NAFDAC confirmation of Mamador cooking oil benefits.

Also speaking at the event, Bukky Bandele, the company’s general manager said the NHF endorsement has now given Mamador the required partnership platform to do more for Nigerians by setting out on what she calls ‘Mamador Million hearts Mission’ to passionately promote healthy living among the Nigerian consumers.

She noted that modern lifestyles demand that consumers pay more attention to the health of their hearts by being more discerning about their diets and being more active in their choice of leisure activities.

It takes courage to go to NHF, and for any product manufacturer to desire that its product should be tested, it should be sure. For passing through the rigorous test, it proves that Mamador is good for consumption and good for the heart.

According to NHF, there is a concern that the rates of heart diseases such as hypertension are increasing. Mamador endorsement challenges other cooking oil companies to offer heart-friendly cooking oil products to encourage healthy living.

What the certificate indicates is that PZ is encouraging healthy lifestyle in Nigeria through dieting which can reduce risks of obesity and illnesses such heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. It is therefore important that such milestone has been achieved by Mamador in the Nigerian market for consumers-many of whom are facing various challenges and therefore, in need of healthy food.

Daniel Obi