Health experts warn that excessive intake of edible oils contributes significantly to obesity, which is linked to serious conditions such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Between 2015-16 and 2020-21, the prevalence of obesity among Indian women rose from 20.6% to 24%, and among men from 18.9% to 22.9%. Projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 440 million Indians could be living with obesity.​

Historically, India's per capita edible oil consumption was 3.4 kg annually in the 1950s and 60s. This figure has escalated to 19.4 kg per person per year, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommendation of 13 kg and the Indian Council of Medical Research's guideline of 12 kg.​

This increased consumption has led to a significant rise in imports. In 1951, India's edible oil imports were minimal, but by 2022-23, they had surged to 16.47 million metric tonnes. Domestic production during this period increased from 1.38 million tonnes to 11.57 million tonnes, meeting only about half of the national demand.​

Reducing edible oil consumption to recommended levels could alleviate health risks and substantially decrease import needs. This would not only improve public health but also bolster India's economic self-reliance by reducing the financial burden of imports.​