In a recent independent survey of more than 1,100 UK consumers, 58% of respondents said they would consider switching from olive to rapeseed oil when it was explained that it’s less than half the saturated fat of olive oil and is produced in Britain.
A further 6% said that the higher burn point of the product (the stage when a cooking fat begins to smoke or burn) would be enough to encourage them to choose rapeseed oil over olive oil during their next supermarket shop.
Ben Guy, managing director of Borderfields, the company that commissioned the independent survey (and the leading producer of rapeseed oil in the UK), said: “The Mediterranean diet has traditionally been seen as healthier than the British diet due to its reliance on olive oil. That could all be about to change as British consumers are becoming more educated on the health, economic and environmental benefits of rapeseed oil.
“Not only is cold pressed rapeseed oil half the saturated fat of olive oil, but it also contains omegas 3, 6 and 9 – essential fatty acids known to reduce cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart, brain function and joint mobility. It is also completely natural, free from additives and processing.”
Tesco, which stocks Borderfields, has seen sales of rapeseed oil increase by 60% in the last year alone.
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