In conjunction with Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA) National Conference 2022, MPOC collaborated with MDA to hold a pre-conference palm nutrition awareness seminar programme. The main objective was to keep Malaysian dietitians up-to-date on the latest evidence and scientific findings of Malaysian Palm Oil, in order to widen their perspective of this important commodity of our country.
Opening remark by YBrs. Puan Wan Aishah Wan Hamid, CEO MPOC at Connexion Conference & Event Centre, Bangsar South
Medical and health professionals such as doctors, pharmacists and dietitians are major target groups of MPOC’s palm oil promotional activities as their main roles are to provide health advices and recommendations to general public. Also, they play important role in taking part in health-related policy development and amendments (such as national clinical practice guidelines and dietary guidelines). Hence it is crucial to equip them with the latest updates of palm oil nutrition that are both unbiased and accurate.
This event focused on the issues of health and nutrition, particularly in saturated fatty acids and palm oil phytonutrients, especially in palm vitamin E tocotrienols. Details of the event as follow:
Connexion Conference & Event Centre, 26th June 2022 (Sunday)
- Paper 1: Nutrient-based vs Food-based Recommendations: What Should Dietitians Tell Clients about Cardiovascular Nutrition?
by Professor Dr. Tilakavati Karupaiah, Taylor’s University - Paper 2: Palm Phytonutrients and Its Benefits in Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases
by Dr. Kanga Rani Selvaduray, Malaysian Palm Oil Board - Paper 3: Tocotrienols for Health: Evidence from 20 Years of Research
by Dr. Fung Wai Yee, Avantsar - Forum Discussion and Q&A session
Forum Discussion and Q&A session
In addition to the seminar, exhibitions were set up to showcase palm-oil based products. The display items including palm-based cooking oil (i.e. commercial palm olein, blended oil, red palm oil), palm-based food products such as peanut butter, margarine, high fibre crackers, cereals, infant formulas, and palm-based non-food products such as soap, hand lotion, laundry detergent and others.
Besides, there were three companies that participated in the exhibition, including Hovid Berhad, Sime Darby Oils and Carotino Sdn. Bhd.
Science, Environment and Sustainability Division, MPOC
Carotino Sdn. Bhd.
Overall, the participants found that this programme was well organised and covered a vast topic of palm oil. This programme also provided new insights of palm oil nutrition and the potential benefits of palm phytonutrients such as palm vitamin E tocotrienols. As a result, they are now more confident that palm oil can be part of the healthy balanced diet.
Prepared by Vicky Chia Min Huei
