UK to promote ghee-free Indian food

Alarmed that people with origins in the Indian sub-continent have a 50 per cent risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular diseases, Britain's health officials have initiated a plan to promote a ghee-free diet.

The Department of Health has launched an online nutrition centre in partnership with the Aga Khan, head of the Ismaili Muslim community. The centre features authentic recipes and is aimed at families who enjoy South Asian, African and Middle Eastern food. "We know that there is an increasing incidence of certain conditions within the South Asian community, typically type-two diabetes and coronary heart disease. One of the ways to prevent these conditions is by providing healthy recipes for a diet traditionally eaten within the South Asian community," leading Indian dietician and TV presenter, Azmina Govindji, said.

Information and advice on the centre is based on the traffic-light system of red, amber and green. Users can call up familiar recipes to check their fat content. "For example, a lamb biryani can have very high levels, but lentil-based dishes, like a dhal, can be healthy," Govindji said, adding that the site will suggest which ingredients can be replaced by healthier alternatives without losing the overall taste.