Eliminating PHOs from the American diet posed significant challenges and costs for food manufacturers. The new oils introduced are pricier than their predecessors, yet they offer considerable health benefits. Both modified canola and soybean oils boast a high concentration of “good fats”—such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—while maintaining low levels of “bad fats,” including trans and saturated fats. Certain baking recipes still require a solid fat to replicate the effects of the now-absent PHOs. As a result, many food producers have turned to palm oil, the most widely used vegetable oil globally. Nevertheless, palm oil raises substantial environmental concerns, as its plantations are often established unsustainably, contributing to deforestation.
Food manufacturers have invested heavily in research and development to reformulate recipes with healthier oils. Initially, new formulas must be developed that do not compromise the expected taste of the products. Subsequently, the shelf life of these products must undergo testing, and finally, packaging must be redesigned to reflect the new ingredients. Even after these initial costs, food producers will continue to pay more on average for healthier oils.
However, Corbion may have discovered a viable solution. The company found that bread manufacturers could achieve similar results using only 80% of the more expensive oil. So far, consumer packaged goods (CPG) prices have not been significantly affected by this transition. Consumers are unlikely to detect any changes in flavor for foods made without PHOs. Many companies, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Long John Silver’s, proactively worked to comply with the FDA’s requirements ahead of the deadline, and these establishments have not received major consumer complaints about their updated menu items.
The transition away from PHOs varies in difficulty across different CPGs. For instance, scientists working on Conagra’s Orville Redenbacher brand dedicated six years to eliminate trans fats from its popular popcorn line. It will be intriguing to observe how other companies manage as the deadline approaches.
Additionally, for those seeking alternatives, products like calcium citrate can be found on platforms such as Amazon, offering consumers more options in maintaining a balanced diet as the industry shifts away from PHOs. The integration of calcium citrate into snacks and meals could be another avenue for enhancing nutritional value while adhering to these new standards.