Innovative Cargill Oil from Flaxseed Offers Both Omega-3, Formulation Benefits

Cargill (Minneapolis) has announced plans to unveil an 'industry-first' omega-3-fortified cooking oil derived from canola seed and flaxseed at the upcoming Institute of Food Technologists... (IFT) Annual Food Expo in July. According to Cargill, the oil offers consumers a good source of omega-3, while eliminating possible taste and formulation challenges involved with oils derived from omega-3 sources such as fish oil.

Cargill says that unlike omega-3 from sources such as fish oil, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) omega-3 from flaxseed and canola seed 'tastes neutral and won...t interfere with established flavor profiles,' says Willie Loh, PhD, vice president of Cargill...s oils and shortenings business.

Loh adds that incorporating the volume of polyunsaturated oil required to make an omega-3 product claim is often difficult in products that already have a low fat content, such as crackers and cereals, and that fish oil omega-3s often do not possess a long shelf life. By contrast, says Loh, '[Cargill...s new Clear Valley Omega-3 Oil] is shelf stable for more than nine months, making it ideal for cookies, cereal bars, crackers, snacks, and spreads. Consequently, there...s no need for our customers to modify their recipes or formulas'”they can simply replace their existing oil with Clear Valley Omega-3 Oil.'

Cargill recently completed a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) self-determination for Clear Valley Omega-3 Oil, which is patent-pending and available for product trial testing, the company said. Food manufacturers can now make a 'good source of ALA omega-3' or 'excellent source of ALA omega-3' nutrient content claim on packaging.

Cargill says that the oil contains up to 30% ALA omega-3 and provides a minimum of 160 mg of ALA per serving in most applications.

'As heart health is top of mind for many consumers, Cargill developed Clear Valley Omega-3 Oil to help manufacturers who want to seamlessly deliver heart-healthy products to this market,' says Loh. 'Seventy-seven percent of consumers have used heart-healthy foods in the past year, and 63% of consumers are trying to add sources of omega-3 to their diet.'

Visitors to Cargill...s booth (Booth #4629) at the IFT show can sample a granola bar prototype containing the new oil as well as Cargill...s Barliv barley betafiber, which supports FDA...s heart-health claim 'Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 3 g/day of beta-glucan soluble fiber from barley betafiber may reduce the risk of heart disease.'