Hydrogenated vegetable oil

[Jaunty]

Hi all

Being aware of the problems caused by hydrogenated vegetable oils in food products, I obviously steer well clear, but recently I have noticed ingredients such as "margarine", "refined vegetable oil" and "vegetable margarine" listed. (I thought it was not possible to buy margarine in the UK) and was wondering if these ingredients are in any way connected to hydrogented vegetable oils / trans fats.

 

[AlisonM]

As far as I'm aware you can still buy it, but I wouldn't as most of the brands are indeed associated with saturated and trans fats. Besides, it tastes terrible. Much better to use an olive oil based spread, I find them an acceptable alternative to butter.

 

[Jaunty]

Hi Alison - Thanks for the info about the availability of margarine, which I have no intention of buying, but was concerned that some manufacturers may be listing ingredients as margarine etc, to avoid having to list hydrogenated vegetable oil. I understand the main supermarkets have decided not to stock items containing hydrogenated vegetable oil, but if things such as margarine etc are essentially HVO by another name, what chance do we consumers have to ensure we are not eating same.

 

[Vicsetter]

It's only the name margarine that has disappeared and replace by vegetable fat spread or some such. All the supermarkets sell Stork or the equivalent. Pretty sure they don't contain trans fats.
You may find trans fat or hydrogenated fat in some ready-to-use mixes, like Scone mix, bread mix etc.