Survey on the Use of Edible Oil in the Home and Awareness of their Health Value

Abstract

A questionnaire regarding the usage of edible oil was conducted in 2001 in order to study the relationship between the change in edible oil consumption and the increase in health awareness.
The results were compared with those of our previous questionnaire conducted in 1998. The results show that those edible oils claimed to be good for health are well recognized to reflect the strong concern about life-style related diseases. As was the case in the previous investigation, each household regularly stores on average three kinds of edible oil such as rapeseed (canola),, safflower and corn oils. The proportion of rapeseed oil was higher in the second survey, while that of safflower and corn oils was lower. More households now purchase edible oils based on their value to health than before. The number of households that cook fried dish has increased. In the case of deep -fried dish, however, the households were divided into those with a higher frying frequency and those with a lower frying frequency.
These results indicate that health consciousness has become stronger in the purchase, use, cooking method and disposal of edible oils.