ADM NovaLipid Production Following FDA Clarification

ADM NovaLipid Production Following FDA Clarification

DECATUR, Ill.Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) plans to expand production of its NovaLipid line of zero/low trans-fat oils and margarines at its facility in Quincy, Ill., one of the first commercial enzyme interesterification facilities in North America. ADM hopes to assist customers in reducing levels of trans fats in processed foods prior to Jan. 1, 2006, when those levels must be disclosed on product labels.

The move came concurrent with an announcement from ADM that it received clarification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding appropriate labeling for its NovaLipid Oil. According to FDA, interesterified fats containing greater than 20 percent state content may be labeled as interesterified soybean oil, with the possible additional descriptors high stearate or stearic rich.

According to ADM, stearic acid has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol, and may be the best choice to replace trans fats without sacrificing shortening functionality. As the nutrition and regulatory communities gain increasing recognition of nutritional neutrality of high steric fats, we believe the NovaLipid line of zero/low transfat oils and shortenings will be the trans-fat replacement solution of the future, said Graham Keen, vice president of corporate marketing for ADM (www.admworld.com).