‘Heart-Healthier’ Omega-9 Oils Find Use in Popcorn
by Donald E. Pszczola
Heart-healthier solutions utilizing omega-9 oils are ‘popping’ in the marketplace, according to Dow AgroSciences, Booth 5609, at a press conference held on Sunday, July 18. At the event, the company launched its new offering, Omega-9 Oils Ingredient Solutions, designed to help manufacturers produce healthier baked goods, snacks, and packaged foods. A microwave popcorn product using omega-9 canola oil is already in the marketplace.
Derived from the same omega-9 canola oil used by the foodservice industry, these solutions include customized oils, spray oils, and shortenings. They are suitable for food manufacturers looking to eliminate trans fat and reduce saturated fat without compromising food quality, functionality, or performance, while increasing heart-healthy monounsaturated (omega 9) fat levels in their products. The company provides application development and analytical support, such as nutritional analyses and sophisticated equipment for chemical analyses, to assist manufacturers in developing the right product formulations.
“We believe that quality and progress shouldn’t require a compromise,” said David Dzisiak, Commercial Leader Oils for Dow AgroSciences. “Through extensive product formulation research and development, our omega-9 solutions team works to ensure our customized solutions help companies improve the health profile of a product, without changing the key attributes their customers expect from their favorite brand.”
The ingredient solutions, such as omega-9 shortening, maintain important product functionality qualities, including flavor, shelf life, texture, and mouthfeel. Because this shortening is naturally stable, it can provide equal or longer shelf life to products containing traditional, high-saturated fat shortenings. This is achieved without the use of antioxidants.
The company, using its omega-9 canola oil solution, worked with Indiana-based Weaver Popcorn Company, a producer of more than 30% of the world’s popcorn. Together, they developed the right product formulation for Pop Weaver brand of microwave popcorn. The new formulation entirely replaces the popcorn manufacturer’s existing product line, and is said to be among the healthiest microwave popcorn on the market, maintaining the product’s rich, buttery flavor. The new popcorn has more than a 50% reduction in total fat, including 60% less saturated fat.
According to Dzisiak, Dow AgroSciences understands that the oil and shortening needs of each manufacturer are often unique, with specific application requirements. To meet this need, the company’s omega-9 solutions team has the resources and technology available, along with the technical and product formulation expertise, to provide the best solutions for food manufacturers. Try some popcorn and see for yourself.