The ubiquitous coconut has been a much talked about product in recent decades. Earlier it said that too much coconut oil triggered cholesterol while now health circles and food scientists have apparently accepted that coconut oil in fact is healthy and contains disease prevention properties. Various authorities and data from the worldwide web indicate a [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s successful marketing of virgin coconut oil in UK stores

By Quintus Perera
Good or bad debate of coconut oil
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Shani Ahangama

The ubiquitous coconut has been a much talked about product in recent decades. Earlier it said that too much coconut oil triggered cholesterol while now health circles and food scientists have apparently accepted that coconut oil in fact is healthy and contains disease prevention properties.

Various authorities and data from the worldwide web indicate a range of benefits in coconut oil such as hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism.
Data shows that coconut oil gives relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength.

The health properties of virgin coconut oil (VCO) is extracted by a process called ‘Cold Pressed’ and its enhanced health properties are recognised as people are increasingly using it, specially for health purposes and this recognition it appears spreading worldwide.

Ms Shani Ahangama, hailing from the south, floated a UK-registered company ‘Coconut Miracle Ltd’ in 2010 and is marketing her products across the United Kingdom under the brand name ‘Coconut Miracle’. Plans are underway to expand the market to other European countries too. The stability in the UK market prompted her to float another company registered in Sri Lanka to promote marketing the product in Sri Lanka and already, the products are on the shelves of selected outlets in a reputed supermarket

Ms Ahangama told the Business Times at her office in Colombo that “Coconut Miracle” is 100 per cent natural, ethical and organic and cholesterol free.

“People take this virgin coconut oil one teaspoon a day. As there is no heat applied in the extraction of the virgin coconut oil’ there is no cholesterol generated at any stage.”

Explaining the acceptance of the product by the British consumer, Ms Ahangama said that the Dr Edward Group of UK has analysed coconut oil and the findings show that it contains good fat that can be added to the diet. Though it is a 90% saturated fat, it contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which improves health.

As it withstands high temperatures it is stable to cook with and MCFAs in it is easily digested with these hard-working fatty acids immediately converted into energy. So it is recognised by the medical community as a tool against immune system related diseases, Dr Group’s research has indicated.

Ms. Ahangama said that coconut oil is manufactured in the North Western Province in Sri Lanka and she exports more that 4,000 litres a month (three to four container loads). “Coconut Miracle is very well established in the UK among the health food sector.”

As a part of the local promotional network Ms Ahangama said that she gets in touch with medical practitioners as well as nutritionists for them to prescribe virgin coconut oil as a weight reducing element and for health care.

She also targets local pharmacies. Her market studies indicated that she could tap the local market completely.

Like “Pure Ceylon Tea”, Ms Ahangama also wishes to fly the Sri Lankan flag high with her Coconut Miracle that is of pure Sri Lankan origin, ethical and organic.




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