Gurugram, February 21, 2026: The Oil Technologists’ Association of India (OTAI), in collaboration with FARE Labs, successfully organized a high-level scientific symposium on the theme *“Nutritional and Functional Aspects of Palm Oil”* at Infospace-1, Sector-34, Gurugram. The symposium brought together leading scientists, medical professionals, academicians, policymakers, and industry representatives from across the country to deliberate on the nutritional, health, quality, safety, and industrial dimensions of palm oil.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Mr. C.S. Joshi, President, OTAI (North Zone), who emphasized the importance of evidence-based scientific dialogue in the edible oils sector. This was followed by remarks from Dr. Rajeev Churi, National President, OTAI, along with industry representatives who highlighted the contemporary relevance of the subject.
Dr. Meenakshi Tripathi, Chairperson of FARE Labs, delivered an institutional presentation on strengthening the quality and safety ecosystem through reliable Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services. She underlined the critical role of robust laboratory infrastructure and transparent testing systems in ensuring food safety and enhancing consumer confidence.
The Chief Guest, Dr. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), stressed the need for scientific research, advanced agricultural technologies, and sustainable cultivation practices to strengthen edible oil security in India. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, elaborated on government initiatives aimed at promoting oil palm cultivation and reducing import dependency.
In his Presidential Address, Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), highlighted the importance of innovation, protection of improved plant varieties, and farmer-centric policies in ensuring sustainable agricultural growth. The keynote address by Mr. D. Mathur, Former Chairman and Managing Director of FARE Labs, called for a balanced and science-based perspective on palm oil, urging stakeholders to evaluate prevailing perceptions through empirical evidence.
The technical sessions featured presentations from experts representing premier institutions, including ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research; ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research; Harcourt Butler Technical University; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; University of Calcutta; Institute of Chemical Technology; and Paras Hospital. Experts presented scientific analyses on palm oil’s fatty acid composition, oxidative stability, cholesterol metabolism, lipid metabolism in hepatic cell lines (HepG2/HUH7), cardiometabolic health, and Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Advanced methodologies for the identification and quantification of potential process contaminants were also discussed.
From an industrial perspective, speakers highlighted palm oil’s oxidative stability, its suitability in specialty fats manufacturing, and its functional applications in bakery shortenings and processed food formulations. The symposium underscored the importance of viewing palm oil consumption within the broader framework of balanced diets, active lifestyles, and responsible intake.
A panel discussion chaired by Prof. R.P. Singh concluded the event, with consensus on promoting science-based communication regarding edible oils, strengthening domestic production, enhancing quality control and laboratory testing systems, and encouraging informed and responsible consumption practices.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. H.B. Singh, Editor-in-Chief of the *Journal of Lipid Science and Technology (JLST)*.
The successful execution of the symposium was further supported by effective media outreach and coordination. Ms. Sejal Dwivedi managed media coordination seamlessly throughout the event, ensuring wide and positive coverage across platforms.
The symposium marked a significant step toward fostering scientific understanding of palm oil’s nutritional, health, and industrial aspects, while strengthening collaboration among the agriculture, research, health, and industry sectors.
