DEFINITION

Last update: 08/04/2024 [1, 2]

Edible fats and oils are foodstuffs composed of glycerides of fatty acids. They are of vegetable, animal or marine origin. They may contain small amounts of other lipids such as phosphatides, of unsaponifiable constituents and of free fatty acids naturally present in the fat or oil. Fats of animal origin must be produced from animals in good health at the time of slaughter and be fit for human consumption.

Virgin fats and oils are edible vegetable fats and oils obtained, without altering the nature of the oil, by mechanical procedures, e.g. expelling or pressing, and the application of heat only. They may be purified by washing with water, settling, filtering and centrifuging only.

Cold pressed fats and oils are edible vegetable fats and oils obtained, without altering the oil, by mechanical procedures, e.g. expelling or pressing, without the application of heat. They may have been purified by washing with water, settling, filtering and centrifuging only.

Typical fatty acids (g/100g) and Cholesterol (mg/100g) profiles of some edible oils and fats [2]
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