Cutting down on cooking oil and avoiding high-oil and deep-fried foods in hostels and canteens are among the instructions the Odisha government has issued to its colleges. This move aims to reduce the economic burden amid rising global uncertainties.
Government Directive
On Friday, the higher education department issued a letter to principals of all government and government-aided colleges, asking them to reduce oil usage in food for students. The instructions include:
- Avoiding high-oil menu items like puris, vadas, and bondas (potato chops) for breakfast.
- Reducing deep-fried food without compromising nutrition.
- Promoting traditional ghee, mustard oil, and groundnut oil over imported palm, sunflower, and soybean oil.
Context of the Decision
The letter highlighted that the world has been facing repeated supply chain disruptions and crises since the COVID-19 pandemic. The conflict in Ukraine has also resulted in supply-side issues of food, fertilizer, and fuel. Furthermore, the recent conflict in Iran has exacerbated this food, fuel, and fertilizer crisis.
