Grand Cereals and Oil Mills Ltd (GCOML), a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, recently bagged the status of producer of Nigeria 's only heart-friendly edible oil – Grand Pure Soya Oil.

This is the verdict of the annual analysis of the International Food Check Programme conducted by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and presented at Transcorp Hilton Hotels Abuja, recently.

From the report of the analysis, Grand Pure Soya Oil remains the only “heart–friendly oil” in Nigeria ; and this cannot be understated being the healthiest edible oil in the nation today, owing to its consistently meeting and surpassing the International Food Check evaluation.

At the formal presentation of the IFC report, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels Abuja, Group Managing Director/CEO UAC, Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah said the landmark endorsement of the brand by the Nigerian Heart Foundation in 2005 as the only heart-friendly oil, after a rigorous quality assurance process, which marked a watershed in the history of edible oil consumption in Nigeria given the noticeable increase in health consciousness and awareness among consumers.

He added the recognition of Grand Pure Soya Oil is a vindication of the collective effort of UAC and GCOML, having been scientifically tested and adjudged the healthiest oil in Nigeria . This no doubt will cause a paradigm shift in the buying decisions of discerning consumers that “all edible oils are not equal”.

Special Guest of Honour, at the event, the Minister of Information & Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili attributed the achievement by Grand Soya Oil – a Nigerian brand – to government's efforts in ensuring that local manufacturers adhere to basic standards of good manufacturing practice as enforced by NAFDAC and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). “Today's event signifies the fruit of our labour – that all our efforts have not been in vain,” she said, lamenting that Nigeria, though endowed with abundant human and natural resources had suffered a great battering of its image at home and abroad with attendant disillusionment that nothing good could come out of the country, but today a brand like Grand Pure Soya Oil is a testimony against this fallacy.

She re-echoed the achievements of UAC of Nigeria Plc, with its re-branding that focuses on “doing good”; which forms part of what is being celebrated today.

She acknowledged that the company holds a place of pride in the life of this great nation; by positively affecting lives of several Nigerians.

Managing Director, Grand Cereals & Oil Mills Limited re-affirmed that it was the beginning of a long journey at striving hard to surpass expectations set by the Nigerian Heart Foundation and a fulfillment of Grand Cereals & Oil Mills Limited promise to offer her consumers foods of excellent value for everyday living.

Culled from Vanguard Newspaper, of Friday, 3rd April, 2009

Vanguard Features Heath & Living by Sola Ogundipe