Eliminating PHOs from the American diet has proven to be a challenging and costly task for food manufacturers. The new oils being utilized are more expensive than their predecessors, but they offer significantly healthier benefits. Modified canola and soybean oils are marketed as having a high concentration of “good fats,” such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, while keeping “bad fats,” like trans and saturated fats, to a minimum. Additionally, some baking recipes still require a solid fat to replicate the effects of the now-absent PHOs. Many food companies have turned to palm oil, the most widely used vegetable oil globally; however, palm oil is associated with a substantial environmental impact, as its plantations are often linked to unsustainable practices and deforestation.
To adjust their recipes with healthier oils, food manufacturers have made considerable investments in research and development. They first need to develop new formulas that maintain the expected flavor profile of their products. Following that, shelf life tests are necessary, and finally, product packaging must be redesigned to reflect the new ingredients. Even after these initial expenditures, food makers will continue to incur higher average costs for the healthier oils.
Corbion appears to have discovered an effective solution to this issue. The company has found that bread manufacturers can achieve similar results by using only 80% of the more expensive oil. So far, consumer packaged goods (CPG) prices do not seem to be impacted by this transition. Consumers are unlikely to notice any change in taste in foods made without PHOs, as many companies, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Long John Silver’s, worked diligently to comply with the FDA requirements well ahead of the deadline. Thus far, these establishments have not received significant consumer complaints regarding the updated menu options.
However, the transition away from PHOs poses more challenges for some CPGs than for others. For example, scientists working on Conagra’s Orville Redenbacher brand dedicated six years to removing trans fats from its popular popcorn line. As the deadline approaches, it will be intriguing to observe how other companies navigate this change.
In addition to these developments, there is also a growing awareness of nutritional supplements, such as the Citracal calcium supplement slow release 1200 D3, which can support overall health during dietary transitions. The inclusion of such supplements may benefit consumers looking to maintain their nutritional balance while adapting to the new food landscape. As awareness of these dietary changes increases, products like Citracal may become an essential part of many people’s health regimens, especially as they adapt to foods made without PHOs.