Nextra - the next generation cooking oil
a 'healthy' cooking oil with no trans fats and no cholesterol for
use by the food industry ahead of new FDA trans fat labeling regs.
Food ingredients manufacturer Source Food Technology has introduced a cooking oil for the food industry, said to have zero trans fats from hydrogenation as well as no cholesterol. The launch comes just a few months ahead of a new FDA labeling regulations on trans fat contents.
Nextra was developed by General Mills and Brandeis University, following research on an alternative to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (PHVO). It is claimed to be ideal for food service providers looking for a healthier cooking oil that provides longer fry life and better taste and appearance.
The product contains no trans fats from hydrogenation, unlike chemically modified PHVOs. The company claims its patented purification process also eliminates cholesterol and other unhealthy components, offering food-service companies a healthier product.
The company suggests that the oil may also help lower overall cholesterol and improve the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio.
"Nextra is an ideal cooking oil for food service providers who want it all," said Hank Cardello, CEO of Source Food Technology. "No other cooking oil provides the benefits that Nextra offers and based on taste tests, consumers indicate they prefer food prepared in Nextra because of its superior taste, appearance and aroma. Nextra is also valuable for the provider because it lasts longer in the fryer."
Studies have shown a link between trans fats and increased heart disease, a fact that has led the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to propose labeling of products for the amount of trans fats they contain. According to the FDA, the labeling requirement could prevent up to 12,800 cases of coronary heart disease and a possible 4,200 deaths annually.
Denmark has also set a precedent in Europe with its recent ruling banning all products containing more than 2 per cent trans fatty acids with effect from June 2003.
With the FDA ruling likely to take effect this summer, major food companies are already responding to consumer awareness of the trans fat issue, including McDonald's and Frito-Lay, both of whom recently announced plans to change food preparation methods in order to reduce trans fat.
