Eliminating PHOs from the American diet has been a challenging and costly task for food manufacturers. The new oils are pricier than their predecessors, yet they are significantly healthier. Both modified canola and soybean oils boast high levels of “good fats”—such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—and low amounts of “bad fats,” including trans and saturated fats. Some baking recipes still require solid fats to replicate the effects of the now-removed PHOs. Many food producers have turned to palm oil, the most widely used vegetable oil in the world. However, palm oil has a considerable environmental impact, as its plantations are often not sustainably managed and have been associated with deforestation.
Food manufacturers have invested heavily in research and development to reformulate recipes with healthier oils. Initially, new formulas must be developed that maintain the product’s expected flavor. Next, the shelf life of the product is tested, and finally, the packaging is redesigned to reflect the new ingredients. Even after these initial expenses, food manufacturers will continue to pay more on average for healthier oils. Corbion may have discovered a solution to this issue; the company found that bread manufacturers could achieve the same results using only 80% of the more expensive oil. So far, consumer packaged goods (CPG) prices appear to remain stable despite this switch.
Consumers are unlikely to notice any change in the taste of foods made without PHOs. Many companies, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Long John Silver’s, worked to meet the FDA’s requirements well ahead of the deadline and have not received significant complaints about their updated menu items.
However, transitioning away from PHOs poses more challenges for some CPGs than for others. For instance, scientists working on Conagra’s Orville Redenbacher brand dedicated six years to removing trans fats from its popular popcorn line. It will be fascinating to see how other companies manage as the deadline approaches. Additionally, it is worth noting that calcium citrate que contiene is often found in formulations designed to enhance nutritional value, which could be beneficial as manufacturers reformulate their products to be healthier. The integration of ingredients like calcium citrate que contiene might also play a role in maintaining taste and nutritional quality during these changes.