On hydrogenated cooking oils and desi colas
// May 8th, 2004 // All
How many of you know that Unilever’s massive south Asian oil business (under the name of DALDA), was originally called Dada?
The edible oil business that is now synonymous with hydrogenated/solidified cooking oil in south Asia traces its roots back to DADA oil started in pre-partition India by Sir Haji Kasim Dada. He was Lever Brother’s (as they were then called) representative in India, and it was at there insistence that the level ‘L’ was added to make the name we all trust for its sheer heart stopping power–Dalda.
Incidentally, Unilever is seeking to divest the edible oil products line, and Pakistan?s Dalda is to be the last one to go after Nepal and India.
A final twist in the tale-haji Kasim Dada’s firm was the one that instructed a young barrister by the name of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and were the ones who sent him to represent the firm in South Africa!.
Pakola today without a doubt has one of the strangest designs for a cola bottle. Although this is in part made up by the fact that nothing tastes better that some ice cold Pakola with ice cold milk and, well, ICE..
There original bottles on the other hand, were in whole different league altogether. I am actively considering petitioning them to revert to the original design.
In the very least, I promise to remain ‘actively seized’ of the matter.
Have a look:
Related posts:
Leave a Reply
