Hydrogenated oil is achieved through the Hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching and deodorization process, and these oils are available in two forms – fully or partially hydrogenated. Hydrogenated oil is primarily used to increase the shelf life of a wide range of food products, and partially hydrogenated oil can be used anywhere other than food items because it contains a heavy amount of trans-fat that can be the cause of high cholesterol levels in the human body if consumed even in smaller amounts.
It was the year 2015 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States declared partially hydrogenated oil fully unsafe for human consumption while claiming that this oil is causing heart attacks to millions of people around the globe every year. This article sheds light on hydrogenated oils achieved through the hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching & deodorization process, and why artificial trans-fat is always bad:
What is hydrogenated oil?
Hydrogenated oil is an important member of the family of fats obtained after the hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching & deodorization process, and used for preserving a wide range of food items. Hydrogenation is a process carried out in a sophisticated facility wherein the manufacturers add a significant amount of hydrogen to the fats in the liquid state. Through this process, the oil treated turns into a solid fat at room temperature.
What is partially hydrogenated oil (trans fat)?
The oil that is partially hydrogenated through the hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching & deodorization process is called partially hydrogenated oil. Since it is not fully hydrogenated, this oil contains a huge amount of trans fat. Before the ban imposed by the FDA in the year 2015, most manufacturers used to add partially hydrogenated oils to almost all types of processed foods produced by them. Some of them include the following:
- Almost all types of bakery products
- Frosting and stick kinds of margarine
- All edibles that are consumed as snacks, and
- Coffee creamers.
Major applications of hydrogenated oil
Hydrogenated oil achieved through the hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching & deodorization process is not only used as an effective and efficient preservative but also an enhancer of flavor and texture in a wide range of products.
Some of the primary reasons why manufacturers use hydrogenated oil in their products include the following:
- They use it for cutting costs as hydrogenated oil is more cost-effective than any other oil
- They use it for increasing the shelf life of products for longer durations
- They use it for beautifying the texture, enhancing taste, and overall appearance of the food items.
In the past few years, the use of partially hydrogenated oils has almost come to an end in different parts of the world.
Concluding Remarks
Mectech is a leading oil refinery solutions provider in India offering state-of-the-art facilities for the hydrogenation of oils and fats with post bleaching & deodorization process. Right since its inception 5 decades ago, the company has focused on innovation and cost-effectiveness in its entire products range.
