Explained: Why consumption of mustard oil is banned in the US and Europe
Mustard oil, celebrated for its aroma and flavor in Indian cuisine, faces bans in the US and other countries due to high erucic acid levels. The US FDA links erucic acid to health risks including improper metabolism, brain cell damage, memory impairment, and fat accumulation. Consequently, the US, Canada, and Europe prohibit mustard oil consumption to safeguard public health from these potential harms.
Indian cuisine is full of aroma and flavours. From spices to oils, traditional Indian kitchen celebrates all things healthy that have medicinal properties too. One such item that is used in most Indian homes is mustard oil. A cooking oil, known for its pungent aroma and sharp flavour. It is an Indian staple used in raw and cooked form to enhance the taste of many dishes.
While we continue to enjoy the aroma of this oil, sadly it is banned in the US and many other countries. Scroll down to know why. Why is mustard oil banned in the US?
According to the US Food And Drug Administration, the amount of erucic acid in mustard oil is quite high. It is a type of fatty acid and is detrimental to health purposes. It is not metabolised properly and harms the brain cells as well. Erucic acid is also associated with many mental disorders like memory impairment. It also leads to the increased accumulation of fat in the body. Keeping in mind these purposes, the USA, Canada, and Europe have banned the consumption of mustard oil.
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