New Trans Fat-Free Oil Offers Healthier Option

Carolina Soy Products

of Duplin County is making Whole Harvest soybean oil, which is the first soybean oil that does not contain any trans fats.

With the recent

McDonald's

decision to use new oil for frying, there has been a lot of attention given to the dangers of trans fatty acids.

Trans fats form when chemicals are added to oil during processing.Studies show they can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and even some cancers.

According to Bob Dawson, Chief Operating Officer at Carolina Soy Products, all of their soybeans come from area farms.

"Everything we have crushed here has come right from eastern North Carolina," said Dawson.

The soybeans are initially crushed at 303 degrees, which releases oil from the bean without the use of hydrogen.

"It's the purest soybean oil. There is no chemical that has been added to this product," said Dawson.

Next, the oil is refined and packaged for shipment. The unusable soybean meal is used as feed for livestock.

"Absolutely, we have no waste here at all," said Dawson. Carolina Soy Products produces more than 120,000 pounds of oil per day. It is rich in Omega 3 and Vitamin E because it is not hydrogenated.

Preliminary tests also show food absorbs less of the oil during cooking, which means fewer calories and fat.

"We had about 20 percent less absorption of our oil into the field than traditional oils," explained Dawson.

Whole Harvest soybean oil is only available for restaurant use, but if demand continues, Dawson expects it will be on grocery story shelves.

Currently,

The Angus Barn

, Peddler, and

Libby Hill

seafood restaurants use the oil. House of Raeford, which supplies food for school cafeterias, also cooks with it.