Olestra :: essays research papers

Olestra Technically speaking, it was to be the something that was supposedly going to change the world. Stock analysts even proclaimed it as being the "single most important discovery in the history of the food industry", and would generate over a billion dollars annually in sales becomming Procter and Gambles, the creators, best selling product. What is not to like about a product which replaces the fat content in previosly named junk food such as potato chips? Apparently quite a bit. Olestra was first invented in 1968 as a way of increasing an infants intake of fat. This is when they stumbled upon a special chemcial which was actually the hexa, hepta, and octa-esters of fatty acid of sucrose. These molecules are so big and fatty, that the body cannot be metabolized by the body by enzymes and bacteria in the intestine, and as a result is not digested or absorbed. Instead of increasing fat intake, this chemical replaced it. Almost 30 years later, Olestra was finally given approval by the FDA to be used in food, however, with the condition of a warning label indicating the product can induse upset stomach and loose stools, as well as inhibiting the absorbtion of vitamins A, D, E and K. For a product that was supposed to be perfect, what happened? Studies conducted prior, first with mice, had somewhat alarming results which indicated that in addition to the first two problems stated, Olestra can cause cancer. The reason for this is that the product interferes with the bodies natural absorbtion of carotenoids which are found in fruits in vegetables, which help the body fight against cancer. Studies in humans showed that people who consumed 2 grams of Olestra per day had 15% lower level of carotenoids in their body than those who didnt eat them. A regular sized bag of chips made with Olestra however, contain over 15 grams. Further studies showen that when given Olestra doses every day included in every meal , levels dropped over 60%. Once Olestra hit the market, the FDA recieved more than 1000 reports of the food causing adverse reactions, yet Procter and Gamble still maintain the product is harmless. To perhaps nobodies surprise, "fake-fat" containing products recieved initial high sales, but quickly plummeted due to both the media and word of mouth on its affects, as well as the warning label and relative high price.