virgin coconut oil anyone?

This is the new "thing" this year, but what is virgin coconut oil?

Virgin Coconut oil is extracted from fresh mature coconut meat or its derivative by mechanical means, with or without the application of heat. It contains no fat and cholesterol. One of the unique characteristics of virgin coconut oil is that, it is not usually stored in the body as fat, but is converted into energy. That is why many people who have tried our products have reported an increase in their energy level, in addition to unexpected weight loss.

Other health benefits includes: Help you lose weight, or maintain your already good weight; Reduce the risk of heart disease; Lower your cholesterol; Improve conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue; Improve Crohn’s, IBS, and other digestive disorders; Prevent other disease and routine illness with its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal agents; Increase metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function; Boost your daily energy and Rejuvenate your skin and prevent wrinkles.

This proudly Pinoy-made product is being exported to Singapore, Japan, Korea, and the US (the biggest market). According to the Philippine Coconut Authority, an estimated 100,000 liters were exported in 2003. This year, shipment is estimated to double.

As not to go the way of the Nata de coco industry (which boomed then collaped), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is set to issue an interim set of minimum quality standards for the production / processing of virgin coconut oil to booster world wide acceptance. The parties involved in the process include the Department of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Los Banos Biotech, Up-Diliman and the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) and members of the Virgin Coconut Oil Producers and Traders Association of the Philippines (VCOPTA).

BAFPS Director Gilberto Layese said the standards should be able to conform with the standards set by the Codex Alimentarious Commission (CAC). The CAC is an internationally-recognized food quality standards body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.

The Virgin Coconut Oil is expected to boost the coconut sector which has been experiencing a downward spiral for years. The PCA is redoubling its efforts to strengthen the coconut industry by encouraging new planting to reduce senile trees and the expansion of new products derived from coconut.

I just hope that this new cottage industry will be able to sustain the interest as well as the market. I also hope that quality standards will indeed be met.