FabSwingers.com mobile

Already registered?
Login here

Back to forum list
Back to The Lounge

Sunflower oil replacement.

Jump to newest
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall

Due to the war in Ukraine, sunflower oil is in short supply.Food suppliers are using r apeseed oil in their products as a replacement. Even if the ingredients are listed as sunflower oil. They have been given the green light to do this by the FSA.

Many people have allergies & sensitivity to this oil and suffer from irritation of eyes, respiratory problems and skin rashes.

Almost everything on the shelves at supermarkets seems to use this oil at the moment. Shopping is becoming impossible if you need to avoid this type of oil.

Does a a by one else suffer with this?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *d59michelleTV/TS
over a year ago

walsall

There's some on the shelves obviously gone up in price

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"There's some on the shelves obviously gone up in price"

Yes, but it’s no good when all your favourite foods have had sunflower oil replaced with r*peseed oil and you he ave allergies to the latter!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

Try coconut oil

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You are right, it doesn't seem right that they can do this with regards to labelling

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"Try coconut oil "

Sadly they don’t use coconut oil in Waitrose oven chips….

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have no issue with r@peseed oil. We also use hemp oil or olive oil.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Many oils are blends, I feel for you if you can't get what you like/need easily. Personally I switched to 100% r apeseed recently, as you can get 100% British oil that way, and with many dishes you can't tell the differences, although sometimes it can taste a little earthier. It's worth a try if you don't have an allergy, which admittedly most won't, but not all.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"You are right, it doesn't seem right that they can do this with regards to labelling "

Yes, apparently it’s been dove as an emergency measure to save the food producers having to re-label the packaging. Although many have re-labelled. McDonald’s have notices in store, as do Greggs.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"Many oils are blends, I feel for you if you can't get what you like/need easily. Personally I switched to 100% r apeseed recently, as you can get 100% British oil that way, and with many dishes you can't tell the differences, although sometimes it can taste a little earthier. It's worth a try if you don't have an allergy, which admittedly most won't, but not all."

The allergy is the problem.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"You are right, it doesn't seem right that they can do this with regards to labelling

Yes, apparently it’s been dove as an emergency measure to save the food producers having to re-label the packaging. Although many have re-labelled. McDonald’s have notices in store, as do Greggs. "

I guess it's like when free range eggs were unavailable for a while earlier in the year. Not having it is one thing, having to pass on the costs of re-packaging/labelling/ so the replacement is even more expensive is indeed a pain, but better than having nothing for a week while they they that and then charge you for it.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *otsossieMan
over a year ago

local, but not too local


"The allergy is the problem."

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *otsossieMan
over a year ago

local, but not too local


"I guess it's like when free range eggs were unavailable for a while earlier in the year. "

Not really, no.

You can’t have an allergy to whether chickens are kept indoors or not.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ackformore100Man
over a year ago

Tin town


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly. "

Or Putin..

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *otsossieMan
over a year ago

local, but not too local

With a bit of luck one of his aides will see sense and defenestrate him in the traditional manner.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly. "

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly. "

To be fair, I’m just not buying the products and only buying what I am sure has no oil added. It’s a minefield though, it’s even in bread!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ackformore100Man
over a year ago

Tin town


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

To be fair, I’m just not buying the products and only buying what I am sure has no oil added. It’s a minefield though, it’s even in bread!"

That must be tough... Tough enough when the labels are correct... Let alone when they are inaccurate

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils? "

I agree, I’m not blaming the manufacturers, I’m just highlighting the problems that are caused because of it.

I am making my own food where I know exactly what’s added. Eating out on the other hand is a non starter.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *olly_chromaticTV/TS
over a year ago

Stockport


"Due to the war in Ukraine, sunflower oil is in short supply.Food suppliers are using r apeseed oil in their products as a replacement. Even if the ingredients are listed as sunflower oil. They have been given the green light to do this by the FSA.

Many people have allergies & sensitivity to this oil and suffer from irritation of eyes, respiratory problems and skin rashes.

Almost everything on the shelves at supermarkets seems to use this oil at the moment. Shopping is becoming impossible if you need to avoid this type of oil.

Does a a by one else suffer with this? "

If you get an allergic reaction to a product where sunflower oil has been replaced by r@peseed, and it's not marked on the labelling, then the company needs suing into oblivion. If the company will not even add a warning sticker over the normal label, then they should be liable for all injury caused - this could potentially kill people. Pretty sure that this would be absolutely illegal under EU regulations. But then maybe it's a brexit benefit, that our FSA no longer requires any safety standards for food?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall

https://foodmatterslive.com/article/sunflower-oil-shortages-rapeseed-oil-labelling-fsa-fss/

Please see the link for what the FSA said. It’s dated earlier in the year, so may have been superseded now.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I guess it's like when free range eggs were unavailable for a while earlier in the year.

Not really, no.

You can’t have an allergy to whether chickens are kept indoors or not. "

True, but I was talking about the labelling aspect, as well you know.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *olly_chromaticTV/TS
over a year ago

Stockport


"https://foodmatterslive.com/article/sunflower-oil-shortages-rapeseed-oil-labelling-fsa-fss/

Please see the link for what the FSA said. It’s dated earlier in the year, so may have been superseded now."

It is scandalous that the FSA didn't instantly name names and start proceedings against offenders. Given that it must be possible to get sticky labels printed for popping onto the outside of the packaging within a matter of hours, at a price point of tiny fractions of a penny per label.

Changing essential ingredients like this does not just happen by accident, in an instant. Somebody has to deliberately make a decision, orders have to be made for the replacement ingredient, purchasing has to be authorised by financial departments, supplies of the new ingredient have to be received into stores and loaded into production machinery. This cannot happen in a moment. If the company cannot be arsed to get their act together with a warning label, then they should be held responsible for any injury caused no matter how small. And it should be the responsibility of our FSA to ensure that safety standards are followed; if a company is found not to follow standards such as this, then the FSA should name, shame, and if necessary withdraw their licence to produce foodstuffs.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils?

I agree, I’m not blaming the manufacturers, I’m just highlighting the problems that are caused because of it.

I am making my own food where I know exactly what’s added. Eating out on the other hand is a non starter."

I'm sure you can still eat out... Restaurants are rigorous about allergies since Natasha's law was passed, and have to either omit or offer a substitute. I'm sure every kitchen has at least some olive oil on hand

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils?

I agree, I’m not blaming the manufacturers, I’m just highlighting the problems that are caused because of it.

I am making my own food where I know exactly what’s added. Eating out on the other hand is a non starter.

I'm sure you can still eat out... Restaurants are rigorous about allergies since Natasha's law was passed, and have to either omit or offer a substitute. I'm sure every kitchen has at least some olive oil on hand "

I'd stick to chain restaurants because my own experience of "local" restaurants is that many don't know or change suppliers frequently to obtain cheapest price and, as the case of Pret a Manger proves, suppliers don't always know what's in their food either.

I don't imagine people who don't have food allergies will understand. We're not talking about minor tummy upset or discomfort. Food allergy can cause death within minutes, if someone experiences an anaphylactic reaction. It's serious, it's not faddy eating etc.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *olly_chromaticTV/TS
over a year ago

Stockport


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils?

I agree, I’m not blaming the manufacturers, I’m just highlighting the problems that are caused because of it.

I am making my own food where I know exactly what’s added. Eating out on the other hand is a non starter.

I'm sure you can still eat out... Restaurants are rigorous about allergies since Natasha's law was passed, and have to either omit or offer a substitute. I'm sure every kitchen has at least some olive oil on hand

I'd stick to chain restaurants because my own experience of "local" restaurants is that many don't know or change suppliers frequently to obtain cheapest price and, as the case of Pret a Manger proves, suppliers don't always know what's in their food either.

I don't imagine people who don't have food allergies will understand. We're not talking about minor tummy upset or discomfort. Food allergy can cause death within minutes, if someone experiences an anaphylactic reaction. It's serious, it's not faddy eating etc. "

Exactly. Which is why food manufacturers, providing products that might go into thousands of end user dishes potentially in every household and restaurant in the country, must be held to the very highest of standards. And severely prosecuted if they fail to maintain those standards.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Try coconut oil

Sadly they don’t use coconut oil in Waitrose oven chips…. "

Make your own - much tastier anyway

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *usie pTV/TS
over a year ago

taunton

A dollop of lard is much tastier.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 
 

By *icolerobbie OP   Couple
over a year ago

walsall


"The allergy is the problem.

Good luck trying to get fabs to understand the problem

I sympathise. All I can suggest is protesting to the FSA or contacting manufacturers directly.

Protest what? They can't get sunflower oil where there is none...

From the couple of minutes' research I've just done on this it looks like manufacturers are required to print info about substitute oils on their packaging, so as long as they inform consumers they're not really doing anything protest-worthy.

It's annoying for people like OP, I do agree. Have you tried making your own versions of these foods? Or checking if substitute brands are still using safer oils?

I agree, I’m not blaming the manufacturers, I’m just highlighting the problems that are caused because of it.

I am making my own food where I know exactly what’s added. Eating out on the other hand is a non starter.

I'm sure you can still eat out... Restaurants are rigorous about allergies since Natasha's law was passed, and have to either omit or offer a substitute. I'm sure every kitchen has at least some olive oil on hand

I'd stick to chain restaurants because my own experience of "local" restaurants is that many don't know or change suppliers frequently to obtain cheapest price and, as the case of Pret a Manger proves, suppliers don't always know what's in their food either.

I don't imagine people who don't have food allergies will understand. We're not talking about minor tummy upset or discomfort. Food allergy can cause death within minutes, if someone experiences an anaphylactic reaction. It's serious, it's not faddy eating etc. "

Thankfully, I don’t have a serious allergy, certainly not life threatening, but some people do.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
Post new Message to Thread
back to top