Modified Fats
ProcessedOverview
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)
Products Containing Modified Fats
Showing 12 of 91,829 products, sorted by processing level