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A decision has been issued banning the use of "palm oil" in popular eateries selling fried chicken, shawarma and falafel.
The director of health affairs in Syria confirmed that the substance is not toxic, adding: "However, we have not reached a stage in Syria where frying should be done with palm oil, which turns coal-black within a short period. This type of oil can withstand very high temperatures and burns slowly, and a number of falafel shops simply keep adding oil on top of oil without ever changing it."
He said the decision came after numerous complaints were recorded, particularly regarding fried chicken shops in recent months, pointing to emerging concerns linked to the spread of a white layer known as "palm oil residue," which requires a temperature of 40°C to dissolve in the body, raising significant health concerns.
He noted that there is now stricter enforcement on this issue, especially since this type of oil is three to four times cheaper than other types of oil. He recalled that an earlier decision by the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection had called for compliance with Specification No. 3770 of 2019 governing vegetable oils, which applies to all oils intended for food use, including coconut oil. The specification notes that palm oil, marked with the code RBD when supplied in bulk containers or aboard ships, is not fit for direct consumption and must be refined at specialised vegetable oil refining facilities before being used for food manufacturing purposes.
He pointed out that the circular covers popular eateries selling fried chicken and falafel, noting that these shops price their products as though they were using oils other than palm oil, and mentioned that violations had been recorded by the Damascus Supply Directorate.
He added that there are no issues with any trader whatsoever; rather, the use of the oil was halted based on numerous complaints received and admissions from the shop owners themselves regarding the appearance of the white layer, noting that all shops are required to comply with the decision or circular that has been issued.
Source: Syria Days