Mono and Diglycerides: Unmasking the Hidden Trans Fats in Your Food
You may have heard that the FDA ruled in 2023 that trans fats are not safe and can no longer be added to food. While this is certainly a step in the right direction, the trans fat ban left food manufacturers scrambling for another ingredient that will provide the same yummy flavor and long shelf life as trans fats. They found one—a sneaky unregulated form of trans fat known as monoglycerides and diglycerides.
How is this possible? The FDA only recognizes fats that are in the form of a triglyceride as dietary fats. Fats that are in the mono- and diglyceride form are not recognized as dietary fats (even though they are fats obtained through our diet!). Instead, they are classified as food additives called emulsifiers. Thus, the FDA ban on trans fats doesn’t apply to mono- and diglycerides.
Before I explain what mono-and diglycerides are, and why you should beware of them in your food, I want to provide a refresher on what trans fats are, and why they’ve finally been banned….
