Domestic reduced trans products would still be labeled as hydrogenated. In addition, this approach may be criticized by consumer groups as attempting to hide trans fat.
With an efficient supply chain and optimal processing palm oil based shortening can be produced which matches the application performance of high trans shortenings.
Soybean oil contains too little saturated fat to be functional as shortening. It must be partially hydrogenated or combined with fully hydrogenated oils to create the correct functionality. Both approaches above use hydrogenation as a process that must be labeled. Consumers are linking hydrogenation with trans.
While cottonseed contains palmitic acid it is too low in total saturates to be used to make a shortening without hydrogenation. Palm oil is naturally more saturated, making the hydrogenation step unnecessary. Palm oil also tends to form stable beta-prime crystals more readily than cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil also is typically more costly than palm oil.
to purchase a food product for the first time. Much more attention is given to the level of fat , saturated fat and the presence of partially hydrogenated fat. For further information on our consumer research please contact us.
Depending on the target absolute level of saturated fat in the final solution, the palm based product range will offer both lower cost and specialty items. Food manufacturers will then be able to choose between the most cost favorable and most nutrition label favorable solutions.
While it is impossible to see into the future with any certainty, its is possible that the trend to using more natural or organic ingredients in foods will continue. If this is the case then our palm based products are well positioned to accommodate these trends. All are non-GMO. Most are natural and are produced with mild processing without chemical treatments. Organic status could be established if needed.
Our consumer research suggests that both saturated fats and trans fats are very negatively perceived by consumers but also that an increase in saturates may be preferable to the presence of trans fat or hydrogenated fat. For this reason we believe that palm oil based no trans fats will be preferred by consumers seeking to avoid both trans fats and hydrogenated fats. For further information on our consumer research please contact us.
Loders Croklaan’s has been using palm oil to provide products to customers worldwide for over 50 years. While the use of palm oil now in North Americais limited our expectation is that usage will grow rapidly due to the trans issue. Loders Croklaan’s worldwide expertise with palm will enable North American manufacturers to switch to palm with minimal disruption to operations.
While it is impossible to predict future trends with certainty, it is likely that the trend for more natural and/or organic ingredients will continue. In this case, palm oil is very well positioned. Palm oil fats are non-GMO, and many are entirely natural, or are produced through mild, non-chemical processes.
Loders Croklaan sources most of its raw materials directly from its parent company IOI Corporation Berhad, whose core business is palm oil plantation management in Malaysia. With some 160,000 hectares of palm oil plantations, IOI Group supplies preferentially its factories with their raw materials needs. Loders Croklaan knows exactly where its palm oil comes from.
