In recent times, there has been an increasing focus on sustainability, leading consumers to make better-informed decisions and support brands that align with environmental values.
As a result, corporations have been compelled to adopt practices and values that prioritise the well-being of both individuals and the environment.
Encouraging brands with such a vision, the recently held Growth Awards 2024, honoured Old Goa Oils and Foods with the Best Organic Brand award for year 2024.
Established in 2018, Old Goa Oils and Foods is a Goa-based manufacturing company, located at Verna, that specialises in agro-based products.
With a strong commitment towards local heritage, tailored with modern-day technology and science, the brand offers high-efficacy virgin coconut oil-based products.
“Old Goa Oils and Foods is a people’s brand, born from the soil of Goa,” says Paresh Shetgaonkar, social entrepreneur and founder of the company.
He adds, “The brand is associated with more than two lakh people in Goa, directly or indirectly. It’s a bridge between local farmers and the tourism market, having a bigger social impact.”
With more than 500 retail outlets across Goa, the brand has developed an exotic range of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for the face, hair, baby massage, body oils, superfood and oil pulling products.
Speaking about the brand's hair loss oil, Paresh says, “We have a specific formula for hair loss, developed at a pharmaceutical company in Saudi Arabia, and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to export the product OLDGOA Rosemary + Lavender Hair Oil to the Middle East.”
The brand has developed an exotic range of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for the face, hair, baby massage, body oils, superfood and oil pulling products.
Misleading advertisements, copies or duplicate products, have always proved to be detrimental, leading to consumer mistrust.
And so, Paresh advices buyers to crosscheck a company’s certification, licenses as well as a product’s ingredients and usability for a more informed purchase.
“We, at Old Goa, have a manufacturing unit with certified organic products. We use 100 per cent natural ingredients, most of them are sourced locally from Goa,” informs Paresh.
“For our base oil, coconuts are purchased from 300 farmers across Goa. We are the only company in India which manufactures coconut cosmetics under an FDA license,” he adds.
Apart from Goa’s retail stores, Old Goa products are also available online, on platforms like Amazon India, Amazon Dubai and the official website www.oldgoa.in.
Paresh reveals that his company is the leading seller of oil pulling products in Dubai and has recently partnered with HKTV Mall to sell its products in China. He further mentions that the brand is popular for both corporate gifting and luxury destination weddings.
In a short period of time, the brand has managed to scale great heights, setting up a standard for themselves.
Previously, in 2019, the brand’s oil pulling products had been adjudged as the Best Innovation by SIAL Paris (Salon International de L’Alimentation) from among 18,000 worldwide entries in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The recognition of ‘Best Organic Brand’ at the recent awards at Hotel Westin, Pune, in March 2024, underscores the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality organic products and their sustainable practices.
With the award marking a significant milestone in the brand’s journey, Paresh hopes to expand the product range with a commitment towards the planet.