Dive Brief:
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Demand for healthier foods is driving demand for specialty fats and oils, particularly those with specific flavors and dietary benefits, according to Prepared Foods.
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Specialty oils from avocado, sesame, flax, nuts, hemp and grapeseed, as well as more novel sources such as krill, algae, and berries like sea buckthorn and juniper. Apart from their nutrient profiles, the most important considerations for packaged foods are heat stability, biochemical profile and consistent taste.
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The way oils are produced and extracted also is important to consumers. Processing of specialty oils in ways that preserve their flavor and nutrients has become more sophisticated in recent years.
Dive Insight:
The low-fat diet message prevalent in the 1980s finally seems to be on the way out as consumers begin to realize that many fats and oils are important components of a healthy diet. U.S. consumption of olive oil – in many ways the forerunner of this surge in healthy oils – has risen by 250% since 1990, and marks a major change in dietary habits, according to a report from Italian farmers’ group Coldiretti. There is even speculation that American produced olive oil is poised to give European olive oil a run for its money.
The appeal of olive oil is based on both its flavor and its science-backed nutritional value – the USDA recommends Americans should eat more olive oil in its Dietary Guidelines.
Apart from their unique flavors, other specialty oils also have benefited from a growing body of science backing their healthy properties. Chia seed oil, for example, is known for its high alpha linolenic acid (ALA) content, a type of omega 3 fatty acid. Algae oil contains 87% monounsaturated fatty acids.
For purchasers of specialty oils, the way they are extracted is important too, and many health-conscious consumers favor cold-pressed and organic oils while shunning the use of solvents and GMOs.
Ethnic cooking trends also have influenced consumption. Sesame oil, for example, has benefited from its use in Southeast Asian cooking as many dishes have become part of mainstream American cuisine in recent years.
Beyond traditional plant oils, interest has increased in oils from unusual sources, such as algae, and even fruit fly larvae. Suppliers claim manufacturers are exploring the potential of these ingredients in packaged foods.