European Union threatens Guinea with palm oil ban

Palm oil produced in Guinea now faces a threat of being banned in the European Union. It has been deemed unfit for consumption due to the use of the Sudan 4 dye, that gives the product a more vivid colour.

But in Conakry, Guinea’s capital, business of the oil continues to boom, though customers are very cautious.

“The one who knows lifts the lid of the jar of oil and stirs it to confirm. If it is good, it will be bought. But the one who knows its not good oil, he or she won’t buy it from me. That’s why i don’t sell it.Those who are not regular clients always insist to check the quality of the oil,” said one vendor of palm oil.

Authorities in the country have however not remained quiet, following the announcement from the European Union.

With awareness campaigns being carried out across the country, they have stressed that the palm oil produced in the country does not have any negative implications.

“All the oil produced in Guinea has not been prohibited. It’s only a part of the oil produced from dwarf palm trees in the established plantations. So it’s not the majority. The largest quantity of oil produced in Guinea and exported across the sub region is not concerned in this and it is very good for consumption,” said the country’s trade minister.

It is reported that since the month of June till date, there have been no traces of the Sudan 4 dye in the samples sent to other regions in the country. Though the awareness against the use of the dye seems to bear fruit, the question still remains if the country will continue exporting its palm oil.