Fat Free and Olestra

By: Danielle Kuhn

There is a misconception in our society that fat free processed foods will help us to lose more weight than regular whole foods. Due to the high demand for fat free foods, Olestra, was developed by Proctor and Gamble. This fat free chemical substitute is now found in foods, such as, potato chips, crackers and tortilla chips.

As a consumer it is important to keep in mind that when a food is chemically altered to make it low in fat, it does not automatically make the food healthier. In fact, eating processed foods will increase the amount of chemical additives that we put in our bodies. These additives have a negative impact on our health.

The FDA has approved Olestra as being a safe food additive. However, it is still important to keep in mind that the FDA has logged more complaints (over 20,000) about Olestra, than it has about any other food additive in history combined. Considering that there are over 10,000 food additives and chemicals approved by the FDA, the fact that Olestra received such a high volume of complaints should not be ignored.

What exactly is Olestra?

Made up of fatty acids derived from cottonseed or soybean oils, Olestra is a food additive developed by the Proctor and Gamble Co. Structurally Olestra is similar to ordinary fat. It is part sucrose, rather than glycerol (which is fat). Olestra provides foods with the same texture and flavor as fat, but does not add any extra calories.

Side effects:

Olestra is indigestible. Your body’s enzymes cannot break down Olestra causing it to travel through the body unabsorbed. The immediate side effect of this can be diarrhea, cramping or loose stool. Another less apparent side effect of this food additive is the way in which it inhibits your body’s absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins.

Olestra combines with some fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K. It also combines with beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which are important antioxidants. These vitamins and nutrients are essential to our health and well being. Olestra grabs hold of these nutrients, flushing them out of the body with it, leaving neither the Olestra nor the nutrients digested.

How will I know if Olestra is contained in the foods I want to eat?

Look at labels!

If you are concerned about ingesting food additives like Olestra, your concern should be enough to stop personal consumption. The only thing you need to do is look at your food labels. The label will tell you if the food product contains Olestra. Keep in mind that both fat free and low fat foods may contain Olestra.

Ellin Doyle. 1997. Olestra? The Jury’s Still Out. Journal of Chemical Education. Volume 74: P.370.
Food and Drug Administration. 2003. FDA Changes Labeling Requirements for Olestra.T03-59. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01245.html. August 1, 2003.