Cargill commits to removing iFTAs from its edible oils

Cargill will comply with WHO initiatives to remove iFTAs from its edible oils

As food manufacturers seek ways to help improve consumer diets, Cargill has committed to removing industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs) from its entire global edible oils portfolio. Cargill says this will help both it and its customers comply with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standard of a maximum two grams of iTFA per 100 grams fats/oils by the end of 2023.

The WHO’s REPLACE initiative provides a guide for governments and industry to implement a best practice on iTFA in the global food supply chain to address related health concerns. Cargill claims it is the first edible oils supplier to make this commitment, joining many of the world’s largest food companies and members of the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) who have committed to the WHO goal.

“We are thrilled to see Cargill’s commitment to reduce iTFAs in all of their oils, in service of the World Health Organization’s goal to phase iTFAs out of the food supply,” said René Lammers, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer, PepsiCo.

“This move aligns with PepsiCo’s efforts to reduce iTFAs in our foods and is a crucial part of our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) journey to evolve our food and beverage portfolio to be better for the planet and people. Cargill is an important part of our supply chain and we look forward to working together to continue to accelerate progress toward our iTFA goals.”

Over the last 25 years, Cargill says it has removed an estimated one billion pounds (nearly 500,000 metric tons) of iTFAs from the global food supply, resulting in approximately 89 percent of its global edible oils portfolio already meeting the WHO’s iTFA best practice. With this commitment, the company will now achieve 100 percent compliance, including in countries where there currently is no legislative mandate. To achieve this final 11 percent, the company is significantly investing in upgrades at several facilities to reduce the amount of iTFAs produced during the oil manufacturing process and leveraging decades of innovation expertise to provide food customers alternative formulations that will help them meet the WHO best practice.

“Even as the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that worldwide, improving nutrition remains a top concern,” said David Webster, leader of Cargill’s food ingredients and bioindustrial enterprise and chief risk officer.

“This commitment aligns with our purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way and gives us the opportunity as a collective industry to remove iTFAs from the global food supply no matter where food is manufactured or consumed. We know this effort will take time, and we are eager to work with customers as they take this important step.”