On January 1, 2024, Cargill achieved a significant milestone by ensuring that all its food customers worldwide can trust that the company’s fats and oils adhere to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended maximum tolerance level for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA), reports Kennedy’s Confection. Cargill is now recognised as the first global supplier whose entire global edible oils portfolio complies with the WHO’s best practice standard on iTFAs. This standard limits iTFA content to no more than two grams per 100 grams of fats/oils, even in regions without legislative mandates.
Although Cargill publicly committed to removing iTFAs from its fats and oils portfolio in December 2021, this accomplishment reflects decades of dedicated effort. The company’s iTFA journey spans over 25 years, involving early innovation, substantial financial investments, and extensive research and development efforts. Throughout this journey, Cargill has collaborated with over 400 customers, aiding them in creating nutritious and flavorful products, thereby eliminating over 1.5 billion pounds of iTFA-containing products from the global food supply.
René Lammers, Chief Science Officer at PepsiCo, commended Cargill’s ongoing commitment, stating: “We’re pleased to see Cargill’s continued commitment to reduce industrially produced trans fats in all their oils, recently achieving their goal to align with the World Health Organisation’s recommended standards.” Lammers encouraged industry partners to join this initiative for a more sustainable food and beverage portfolio.
Over the past two years, Cargill invested an additional $8.5 million to upgrade facilities and collaborated with over 100 customers in two dozen countries to reformulate new product solutions, reducing transfat during oil processing.
Industrially produced trans fats, often formed through partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils (PHOs) or high thermal treatment during edible oil refining, were targeted for global elimination by the WHO by 2023. The WHO emphasised the association between trans fat intake exceeding 1% of total energy and coronary heart disease events and mortality.
Natasha Orlova, Cargill’s Vice President for Edible Oils and Managing Director for North America, expressed pride in meeting their commitment to nourish the world safely and sustainably. Cargill’s initiative, even in countries without current iTFA legislation, ensures consistency in the supply chain for larger food manufacturers while offering innovation to smaller manufacturers.
To ensure compliance, Cargill integrated iTFAs into its larger food safety and quality assurance program, incorporating multiple layers of monitoring, compliance, and auditing.
The latest progress report from the WHO highlighted that iTFA policies have been implemented in only 60 countries, covering approximately 43% of the global population. Cargill’s pioneering effort prompted the WHO to call on major suppliers of oils and fats to follow suit and eliminate iTFAs from products sold to food manufacturers globally.
Natasha Orlova reiterated: “We are the first and only global edible oil supplier to commit to and meet the WHO standards consistently and across the board for our full global portfolio.” While proud of this achievement, she acknowledged the WHO report’s indication that much work remains and urged other industry players to join in removing iTFAs from their products.
Cargill’s commitment also extended to advancing industry-wide reformulation, particularly in countries without iTFA regulations at the time of their commitment. Actions in Pakistan, Malaysia, and Mexico involved public awareness campaigns and engagement with industry, academic, and government stakeholders to promote WHO best practices in iTFA reformulation.
Editorial contact:
Editor: Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk
