MPOC organised two Palm Oil Technical Sessions at the 22nd IUFoST World Congress 2024 in Rimini, Italy. Held from 8th to 12th September 2024, the Congress was the largest biennial gathering of experts addressing critical issues in food and nutrition, with a focus on achieving food security, eradicating poverty, combating malnutrition, and advancing food science and technology in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
At the official opening of the congress, Prof. Sebastiano Porretta, President of the Italian Association of Food Technology and Congress President, warmly welcomed delegates, researchers, lecturers, and presenters. This global event brought together the food science community to explore the future of food science, technology, and sustainability. Dr. Aman Wirakartakusumah, President of IUFoST, emphasised the importance of promoting healthy diets, food innovations, and sustainable practices in his speech. He highlighted that IUFoST will play a pivotal role in addressing key food and nutrition challenges, driving collective well-being for humanity in alignment with the UNSDGs.
Palm Oil Technical Sessions
Session 1: Agricultural and industrial sustainability, conservation and waste reclamation and reuse
In this session, Dr. Peter Pressman (Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Maine), Dr. Roger Clemens (Professor in Pharmacology, University of Southern California) and Dr. Wallace Hayes (Adjunct Professor in Toxicology, University of South Florida), revealed the importance of sustainability in addressing food production, distribution and consumption in ways that are environmentally and economically sustainable.
With the malnutrition and hunger remain unacceptably high in many parts of the world, sustainable food systems enable food safety, food security, and nutrition for current and future generations. The Malaysian palm oil industry is an example of a circular economy that emphasises on reduce, reuse, and recycle. This is to eliminate unnecessary wastes, including reduced utilisation of energy and carbon emissions throughout the production cycle.
The experts also highlighted the potential bioactives that could be extracted from agriculture waste, which includes phenolic compounds, antioxidants, bioactive peptides, carotenoids, and pigments. These valuable compounds have the potentials to be utilised as additives, supplements, fortification, and other ingredients in the food industry, contributing to sustainability and value addition to food products.
Session 2: Dietary fat – At the intersection of human health and sustainability
MPOC’s second session featured an esteemed panel of experts; Prof. Francesco Visioli (Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Padua, Italy), Dr. Peter Pressman, Dr. Roger Clemens, Dr. Wallace Hayes and Dr. David Ross Appleton (Chief Research and Development Officer of SD Guthrie Berhad). The session explored vital topics surrounding palm oil’s role in health, nutrition, and sustainability.
Contrary to popular belief, saturated fats, including palm oil, are not inherently harmful. Experts highlighted research showing that moderate consumption of specific saturated fats does not pose significant health risks. The ongoing debate regarding palmitic acid, a major component of palm oil, and its potential link to cancer metastasis was also addressed. The experts reviewed the evidence and concluded there is no credible theoretical basis or clinical evidence linking palm oil to cancer risk in healthy adults.
In addition, the experts provided a comprehensive overview of sustainable food production, focusing on the complex agricultural supply chain of palm oil. Beyond discussions of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, the session emphasised the importance of employee rights, working conditions, and food safety in the Malaysian palm oil industry.
Both sessions have sparked lively debate among participants, as evidenced by the numerous exchanges between them and the speakers after each session. A total of 230 participants attended these sessions.
MPOC exhibition booth
MPOC’s booth was strategically located where it received a lot of potential from many participants. Most of them were curious to investigate the information displayed at the booth. The virtual plantation tour and scientific nutritional facts were the main attractions. Attendees enquired about the palm oil’s quality aspect, nutritional values, cardiovascular issues related to palm oil diet and environmental concerns.
The Honourable IUFoST Secretariat delegates commended MPOC’s participation in IUFoST
We also received a visit from the Honourable IUFoST Secretariat delegations led by Dr. Aman Wirakartakusumah, IUFoST President, who commended MPOC’s participations and contributions at the congress. IUFoST aspiration is for the Malaysian palm oil industry to continue such collaborations with IUFoST and other scientific think tank to debunk misconception on Malaysian palm oil thru science backed facts.
Palm oil raises a lot of curiosity in the world of nutrition and dietary fats
MPOC’s growing influence has also led to an exciting invitation to join the IUFoST World Congress 2026 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. They expressed a keen interest in having MPOC participation in the next congress with more scientific data on dietary fats and palm oil, emphasising its importance as a key food ingredient for the future.
