Home   Fat Replacers

The Increasing Variety of Reduced-Fat Products With Fat Replacers

The following matrix illustrates which fat replacers are used, or may be used in the future, in major food categories. Note that in some cases the fat replacer may be the only ingredient necessary to achieve the desired function, while in other cases, a combination of ingredients (e.g., one or more fat replacers, bulking agents and/or low-calorie sweeteners) may be necessary. Also, fat replacers will have varying degrees of success, depending on the specific product application.


  Fat Replacers
Food Category Carbohydrate-Based Protein-Based Fat-Based
Milk/Dairy-Type Products
(e.g., beverages, cheese,
sour cream, yogurt)		 cellulose, gums, inulin,
maltodextrins, maltose, oatrim, polydextrose, starches		 microparticulated
protein, modified
whey protein
concentrate, other
protein ingredients		 emulsifiers, olestra*
Refrigerated/Frozen Desserts
(e.g., ice cream, puddings,
fillings, cheesecakes)		 cellulose, gums, inulin,
maltodextrins, oatrim,
polydextrose, starches,
 microparticulated
protein, modified
whey protein
concentrate, protein
blends, other protein ingredients		 emulsifiers,
salatrim, olestra*,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Meat/Poultry Products gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, starches    olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs* (fried foods)
Fish/Shellfish Products       olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs* (fried foods)
Cooking/Salad Oils
(e.g., used in cooking, frying,
baking, on salads)		    microparticulated
protein (salad oil)		 olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Other Fats and Oils
(e.g., margarine, pourable
dressings, mayonnaise, and
other spreads)		 cellulose, gelatin, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim,
polydextrose, starches		 microparticulated
protein, protein
blends, other protein ingredients		 emulsifiers, salatrim,
olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Soups/Sauces/Gravies cellullose, gums, inulin,
maltodextrins, oatrim,
starches		 microparticulated
protein, modified
whey protein
concentrate		 emulsifiers, olestra*,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Cereals/Grain Products
(e.g., crackers, muffins, breads)		 gums, fiber, inulin,
maltodextrins, starches
 microparticulated protein emulsifiers, olestra (crackers),
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Confectionery & Candies cellulose, crystalline fructose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, polydextrose, polyols, starches microparticulated
protein 		caprenin, emulsifiers,
olestra*, salatrim,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Baked Desserts
(e.g., pizza, casseroles,
microwaveable frozen meals)		 celllulose, fiber, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, maltose, oatrim, polydextrose, polyols, starches microparticulated
protein, protein
blends, modified
whey protein
concentrate		 emulsifiers, olestra*,
salatrim,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Prepared Entrees
(e.g., pizza, casseroles,
microwaveable frozen meals)		 cellulose, gums, inulin,
maltodextrins, oatrim,
polydextrose, starches		 microparticulated
protein, modified
whey protein
concentrate		 emulsifiers, olestra*,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Savory Snacks
(e.g., chips, pretzels, popcorn,
puffs)		 cellulose, fiber, gums,
maltodextrins, maltose, starches 		   olestra, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*

*Currently not available for use.

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