Tefal has launched Actifry, which uses only one spoon of oil to cook over two pounds of French fries.

French fries cooked using Tefal’s Actifry contain fat content as low as three per cent that is less than a quarter of the 14pc fat content in regular fries, the company said in a statement.

“The product has taken ten years of research and development and makes optimum use of one spoon of oil, a non stick pan, a paddle and a fan that circulates super hot oil mist and creates what scientists call the Maillard effect which is the browning and crisping effect seen when food is fried, roasted, toasted or baked,” said Shonila Mishra, Product Manager MEA, Indian Subcontinent & French Overseas Territories.

Currently, families in the GCC either use a traditional pan for frying food or a deep fat fryer. Chips and fried food are popular among the dietary habits of both Arab and expat families in the region.

“Fried foods are among one of the major causes of cardio vascular diseases in the Gulf,” said Dr Abdulaziz I Al Othaimeen, Senior Scientist, Clinical Nutrition Consultant and Chairman of the scientific committee of clinical nutrition at Saudi Commission for Health Specialists.

“Currently, 15.3 million people are estimated to die from cardiovascular diseases every year; that figure represents one-third of all global deaths from all causes. Incidence of death due to cardiovascular diseases in the Gulf is as high as 25pc making it the number one cause of death followed by diabetes, obesity and road accidents,” said Dr Al-Othaimeen.

Hundred grammes of French fries cooked in Actifry contain 192 calories of which only 22 calories are from fat as compared to the same quantity being cooked in an electric deep fat fryer which contain over 245 calories and more than 73 calories in fat. Actifry is a versatile product that can be used to cook a variety of fried foods and can lower the fat content significantly while retaining the same delicious taste of fried food. Actifry is well adapted for local recipes as well like shawarma.

Tefal in conjunction with Dr Al-Othaimeen have launched a public awareness campaign that will directly benefit the health and wellbeing of Arab and expat families in the Gulf and is the first pan-Gulf campaign of this scale sponsored by a private company.

A series of workshops aptly titled Nutritious & Delicious are being organized across key cities throughout the region demonstrating the benefits of eating healthy.

The campaign includes print advertising, television spots and public relations, with other special components focused on groups such as area dieticians and nutritionists. – TradeArabia News Service