Modified Fats

Processed

Fats

Overview

Modified fats including hydrogenated oils and interesterified fats undergo chemical alteration that changes melting point, stability, and metabolic effects. These industrial fats have no equivalent in traditional food preparation.

91,829

Products contain this

3,805

Ingredient variations

Common forms

Hydrogenated oils, interesterified fats, fractionated oils

Function

Fat modification creates specific melting profiles, extended shelf life, and consistent texture required for industrial food manufacturing. They replace natural fats with engineered alternatives.

Sources

Industrial fat modification uses hydrogen gas with nickel catalysts for hydrogenation, or chemical/enzymatic interesterification to rearrange fatty acids. Processing occurs at high temperatures and pressures.

Health Considerations

Modified fats alter natural fatty acid positions affecting digestion and metabolism. Interesterified fats may impact glucose metabolism and lipid profiles differently than natural fats.

Regulatory

FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils in 2021 due to trans fat content. Interesterified fats and fully hydrogenated oils remain approved despite limited long-term safety data.

Common Variations (50 total)

Chocolate Cream: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil,Cocoa Processed with Alkali Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil,Contains 2% or Less of Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And/or Cottonseed Oil,Contains 2% or Less of the Following Sodium Silicoaluminate. Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (One or More of the Following: Soybean Oil,Cornstarch) Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil with Soy Lecithin,Emulsified Vegetable Shortening [Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oils,Emulsifier]; Peanuts; Sugar; Dextrose; Cocoa Butter; Contains 2% or Less of: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil [Palm Kernel Oil; Palm Oil]; Salt; Palm Kernel Oil; Cornstarch; Tbhq and Citric Acid,Encapsulated Sodium Bicarbonate (Contains One or More of Fully Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils: Soybean Oil,Extractives of Paprika & Turmeric. Waffle Coating Set in Non-hydrogenated Soybean Oil.,Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil and Rapeseed Oil),Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil: Less Than 2% of: Natural and Artificial Flavors,Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and Fractionated Shea Oil); Roasted Peanut (7%); Cocoa Powder; Wheat Flour; Cocoa Butter; Whey Powder (Milk); Skimmed Milk Powder; Whole Milk Powder; Cocoa Mass; Emulsifiers; Soybean Lecithinand 38 more...