SA warned about hoax e-mail

2009-09-04 09:36

Antoinette Pienaar

Johannesburg - An old hoax e-mail, which warns people against the use of canola oil, is once again being circulated in South Africa.

This week the Cancer Association of South Africa, (Cansa) asked that people delete the e-mail and not forward it.

Dr Carl Albrecht, Cansa's head of research, first laid eyes on the e-mail, which alleged among other things that canola was a kind a turnip seed "which was so poisonous that it was not even eaten by insects", in July 2000.

Albrecht said the e-mail amounted to "industrial sabotage and attempts to badmouth an excellent product".

"There is nothing wrong with canola oil. This oil is of such exceptional quality that Cansa endorses it as one of its 'healthy choice' products."

According to Cansa, peer-reviewed research showed that the good balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in canola could help prevent cancer.

Sue Janse van Rensburg, Cansa's chief executive, asked for the public's help in quashing the e-mail by not forwarding it to friends. According to the Canola Council of Canada, canola oil is one of the healthiest types of cooking oil.  

- Beeld