Specialty Oils Go Green

As consumers strive to lead healthier, “greener” lives, concepts such as natural, organic, sustainable and renewable are taking on increasing importance. Those same words on a package could make the difference between what goes home and what stays on the store shelf. For food-product designers, that means tuning into consumers’ eco-conscience when choosing ingredients.

Arista Industries, Inc. sticks out its “green thumb” by offering a range of specialty oils that can deliver with these concepts in mind. “In an effort to progressively meet key industry demands for more earth-friendly ingredients, we offer high-quality natural and organic oils from renewable sources or resources,” says Mary Ann Siciliano, national sales manager. “All of our oils are from renewable resources or, in our case, renewable raw materials, which are recurrent resources that are not diminished when used, but will be restored and used again in the same process and or product.”

Further, many of the company’s specialty oils are produced without chemicals or solvents, and some are certified organic through Quality Assurance International, San Diego, and Institute for Marketecology GmbH, Weinfelden, Switzerland.

“Oils, in general, can be called natural, as they are grown in nature and, although they are purified and/or refined, they are unadulterated and do not contain additives,” Siciliano says. “Organic oils are actually a more-specialized category than natural, specialty oils. Although all specialty oils and organic oils are natural, not all specialty oils are organic. For organic oils, special seed has to be used, and there are strict regulations for where they can be grown. Also, for organic crops, only USDA-approved pesticides and fertilizers can be used, and the oils cannot be processed using conventional methods.”

Although Siciliano believes that such oils are naturally better for you, the company’s roster of specialty oils includes many that offer functionality and intrinsic health benefits.

Avocado oil, for example, has a high smoke point (520ºF), making it good for frying. Further, it is low in saturated fat (19%) and rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (minimum 59%).

Pumpkinseed oil, ideal as a salad oil, contains antioxidants and vitamin C, and can help address bladder and prostate problems. Macadamia nut oil has a smoke point of 389ºF, and its beneficial fatty acids do not degrade during cooking.

“Our newest specialty oil is pomegranate oil, which contains powerful antioxidants, which are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and help control high blood pressure,” Siciliano says. “It is important to consume healthy ingredients for optimal health.”

Arista Industries
557 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT06897
Phone: 203/761-1009
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: aristaindustries.com