Leading zero trans oils analyzed in independent testing

Independent testing of trans fat oil alternatives has revealed that the performance and taste of the more 'heart-healthy' oils matches or exceeds those of partially hydrogenated oils.

Released this week, the results of the contest conducted by FryTest.com revealed that the participating zero trans oils showed "excellent" fry lives as well as a functionality "equivalent to or better than" partially hydrogenated oil.

Additionally, consumer tests on French fries cooked in the oils revealed a generally higher liking for these compared to fries cooked in a 'leading brand' of partially hydrogenated oil used as a control.

The testing, which was conducted in conjunction with Texas A&M University's oils and fats program, was designed to provide unbiased information on the different zero trans oils currently available on the market.

According to the results, all the oils tested contained less than one percent trans fat, compared to 28.8 percent contained in the control. In addition, none of the zero trans fat oils came even close to the end of fry life after 300 fryings. Consumers rated the fries cooked in each oil on a scale of 1 (dislike) to 8 (like). All of the oils were preferred by consumers over the partially hydrogenated oil.

Results

AAK FryChef palm olein, high oleic sunflower blend was revealed as containing 0.2 percent trans fat and 29.4 percent saturated fat. Overall consumer liking was rated at 5.6.

ACH FryMax high oleic sunflower oil contained 0.5 percent trans fat and 6.6 percent saturated fat. Consumer liking was 5.4.

Bunge Amaizing NT high oleic canola, corn blend contained 0.5 percent trans and 10.5 percent saturated fat. The oil came top of the list for consumer liking, scoring 5.9.

Bunge Nutra-Clear high oleic canola contained 0.7 percent trans and 7.1 percent saturated fats, and was rated at 5.6 for consumer liking.

Bunge Treus low lin soybean oil contained 0.3 percent trans fat, 13.7 percent saturated fat, and was rated 5.7.

Cargill Clear Valley high oleic canola oil: 0.2 percent trans fat, 6.5 percent saturated fat, 5.8 rating.

ConAgra Wesson Smart Choice cottonseed, canola blend: 0.6 percent trans fat, 17.1 percent saturated fat, 5.5 rating.

CSP Whole Harvest expeller pressed soybean oil: 0.9 percent trans fat, 15.6 percent saturated fat, 5.3 rating.

Loders Croklaan Sans Trans palm olein, mid oleic sunflower blend: 0.3 percent trans fat, 27.9 percent saturated fat, 5.6 rating.

The online database is designed to provide information primarily for the restaurant industry, but is also relevant for makers of fried foods such as potato chips, corn chips and donuts, said president and chief executive officer of FryTestcom, Stephen Joseph.

Steve - the ones we prefer are Cargill Clear Valley, Bunge Nutra-Clear, ACH Fry-Max, or CSP Whole Harvest, because they are free of plam oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil.