A fatty preparation, a process for making said fatty preparation, and a product containing the same

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to field of foodstuff. In particular, the present invention relates to a fatty preparation which does not comprise fats with a saturated fat content higher than 40% by weight nor trans fats, i.e. harmful fatty acids for health, a process for making such fatty preparation and a product containing the same.

BACKGROUND

0002The discussion about the use of palm oil in the processed food industry has marked the entire sector in recent years. However, while the social and media pressure grows against a foodstuff whose nutritional properties and its productive process are questioned, the sector is betting more than ever on this ingredient.

0003The first data of 2017 show that the trend continues to rise. According to the trade register, palm oil has been imported by a value of 216 million between January and February, almost twice as much as in the same months of the previous year.

0004However, the sector intends to calm the discussion about this product. Sources of the Spanish processed food industry assure that the properties of this ingredient "allow to enjoy a wide range of safe products for human consumption". In particular, it is highlighted that it allows to extend the useful life of food.

0005There are many voices which have criticized the use of this food. On the one hand, NGOs and environmental organizations have criticized the environmental impact of their production. But the criticism of palm oil is made, above all, from the point of view of health. In 2016, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) conducted an assessment of three potential food contaminants: glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE), 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), and 2-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD). These substances are present in many different oils and fats, although, the highest levels of GE, 3-MCPD, and 2-MCPD are found in palm oil and palm fats. They are formed during food processing, particularly when refining oils at high temperatures (about 200°C). For consumers aged three and above, margarines and 'pastries and cakes' were the main sources of exposure to all substances.

0006By way of example, the bakery sector can be mentioned. Salt, added sugar and saturated and hydrogenated fats are three unhealthy elements that are often present in ultra processed products, such as industrial bakery. Regarding fats, among which oil is included, most of them which are used in these products are of low nutritional quality. One of the reasons is the price. Employing cheap ingredients also reduces the final cost for the final consumer.

0007Palm oil is an ingredient that fits very well with this description, it has a texture that allows it to be used as a substitute for butters and margarines and as a replacement ingredient for hydrogenated and trans fats. These characteristics make it the ideal candidate to be part of many products that the population usually consume, but it is very rich in saturated fats. Its nutritional profile is, therefore, different from that of sunflower oil or olive oil. Several scientific studies suggest that a diet rich in saturated fats can increase cardiovascular risk, in addition to increasing the levels of "bad" cholesterol and insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. To these harmful effects the weight gain is also added.

0008Nowadays it is well known the recommendation of avoiding foods that contain palm oil, coconut oil, or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats, since these last nomenclatures indicate that this is a product with trans fatty acids.

0009However, this kind of products are very attractive, and not only for the price. Its composition makes them very palatable, something that influences in food preferences. Some researches state that the most preferred products have a common trait: a flavor that is enhanced with three ingredients (salt, sugar and fat) that, in excess, are dangerous for health.

0010However, it is not the only fat that we can use to make sweet products. We find a large number of lipids that are worth knowing. The main fats that can be used in food products are: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Edible animal fats: Butter, lard, ghee, ...</li><li>Fats of non-animal origin</li><li>Transformed or mixed fats: Margarines</li><li>Edible vegetable fats: Oils, cocoa butter, coconut oil or butter, palm butter, shortenings.</li></ul>

0011Accordingly, the present inventors provide a new fatty preparation which is an alternative to the use of palm in the food industry which is simply composed of a vegetable oil and an emulsifying agent (for example, E-471, E-472, E-475). Depending on the final product in which the fatty preparation is to be incorporated the fatty preparation may further include antioxidants, flavouring agents, food colorings, etc. The way in which this fatty preparation is obtained is also advantageous over prior art since it is carried out in a discontinuous way.

0012Currently, the employed way to make a food product with a similar fatty preparation as disclosed herein is a continuous process which must consist of at least 3 reactors or heated mixers, the first for melting the emulsifying agent with the oil at high temperatures (more than 80°C), the next reactor serves for adding other ingredients and to low the temperature to about 50°C and will also serve as a tank that is fed to the third reaction tank, which is the one used to generate emulsions like the mass of the food product that is desired to be made.

0013The working temperatures of the food products are usually 35-55°C. For this reason the second reaction tank is necessary in which the mixture will be cooled and other ingredients necessary in the final product will be added.

0014The palm fat used by the bakery industry and food industry in general normally operates at temperature ranging between 40°C and 60°C depending on the type of palm fraction being treated. This industry does not require a reactor and/or tanks with temperatures higher than 60°C, so that for an alternative to the palm as the fatty preparation provided by this invention, the working procedure currently used is not useful.

0015For this reason, an alternative way is proposed to be able to obtain the alternative product to the palm and it is executed discontinuously for food products without the need of 2 further reaction tanks. It will only be necessary a single reaction tank in which the mixture will be prepared, it will be melt at high temperature, the rest of the ingredients will be added and later it will be cooled or not to about 60-70°C to be packed in buckets or bag-type plastic material.

0016In other words, a way of obtaining an alternative product to the palm is described, which does not require two reactors or tanks for continuous mixing or the need for cooling.

0017With this new procedure the operation at high temperatures can be reduced to a third or fourth part (since it does not require passing the mixture to a second reaction tank), the product will be more stable and will look less oxidized than the one offered by the alternative process in continuous with the reactors and even working with the palm that involves maintaining the qualified product at about 50-60°C all the time from the palm supplier's exit, during the entire logistic journey until it is used in the manufacture of the food product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0018In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a process for making a fatty preparation to be incorporated in a food product, wherein said fatty preparation does not comprise fats with a saturated fat content higher than 40% by weight nor trans fats.

0019In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a fatty preparation as defined further below.

0020In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a food product comprising the fatty preparation according to the second aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0021In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a process for making a fatty preparation to be incorporated in a food product wherein said fatty preparation does not comprise fats with a saturated fat content higher than 40% by weight nor trans fats, comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact"><li>a) heating an oil selected from the group consisting of high oleic sunflower oil, olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil and grapeseed oil in a reactor up to 90°C;</li><li>b) adding a fatty acid mono- and diglycerides-type emulsifier selected from E-471, E-472, E-475 or a mixture thereof to the oil step a) until obtaining a complete dissolution;</li><li>c) cooling the mixture to 60-70°C, optionally with a metallic cloth (mesh 400-800 µm)</li><li>d) packing the hot product, optionally in bucket containers or with plastic bags. The materials must be prepared for hot packaging and have a good protection against oxidation. The bucket-type containers will be or not covered with a plastic bag and will be sealed tightly or sealed. Plastic bag-type containers will be "bag in box" type or plastic bags that will be heat-sealed by heat or by induction. The final fatty preparation product solidifies as it is cooled in the bucket or plastic bag so that later it can be handled without problems to the tank for preparing the final food product.</li></ol>

0022In the context of the present invention the term "a saturated fat" is understood as fatty acids which do not have double bonds in their chain. Examples thereof include, but not limited thereto, palm or coconut oil.

0023The term "trans fats" is understood as unsaturated fats that are formed in the industrial processing of some foods known as hydrogenation, during which their configuration is changed. Examples thereof include, but not limited thereto, partially hydrogenated fats.

0024The term "food product" is understood as food products which are basically made with fermented or non-fermented, stuffed or non-stuffed flour dough, whose main ingredients are flours, oils or fats, water, with or without yeast, to which other foods, bread additives or authorized additives can be added and which have been subjected to a suitable thermal treatment. Examples thereof include, but not limited thereto, biscuits, "ensaimadas", cream filling for biscuits, cakes, cookies, crackers, chocolate creams, dehydrated soups, stock cubes, food preparations for fast food, laminated doughs for use in pizza, in "empanadas", in short pastry, in quiche. <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>E-471 is also defined as fatty acid mono- and diglycerides.</li><li>E-472 is also defined as fatty acid mono- and diglycerides esters.</li><li>E-475 is also defined as fatty acid polyglycerides esters.</li></ul>

0025In a preferred embodiment, the step b) further comprises the addition with the emulsifier or once the emulsifier has been melted with the oil of at least one of the following ingredients: antioxidant (for example, E-306 (tocopherol concentrate) or E-304 (Ascorbyl palmitate), soy lecithin, food colorings (for example, liposolubles food colorings), flavouring agent (for example, liposolubles flavouring agents), guar gum, gum Arabic, meal, starch (rice, corn, potato), salt, sunflower lecithin, antioxidant, colorant, preservative, maltodextrin, glucose, sweetener, alginate, anhydrous citric acid or lactic acid or acetic acid or a mixture thereof, pectin, and cellulose. A person of ordinary skill in the art can choose one or another or a combination thereof depending on the final purpose. The present invention specifically encompass the individual addition of said other ingredients or of any group (at least two ingredients) of said ingredients in the fatty preparation.

0026In a particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is an antioxidant, for example selected from E-306 (tocopherol concentrate), E-304 (Ascorbyl palmitate) and a combination thereof.

0027In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is soy lecithin.

0028In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is a food coloring, for example a liposoluble food coloring.

0029In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is a flavouring agent, for example a liposoluble flavouring agent.

0030In another preferred embodiment, the fatty preparation made by the process disclosed in the first aspect of the invention and all the embodiments included therein is to be incorporated in a food product selected from biscuits, "ensaimadas", cream filling for biscuits, cakes, cookies, crackers, chocolate creams, dehydrated soups, stock cubes, food preparations for fast food, laminated doughs for use in pizza, in "empanadas", in short pastry, in quiche.

0031Accordingly, the present inventors provide a new process for preparing a fatty preparation which is an alternative to the use of palm in the bakery industry and food industry in general which is simply composed of a vegetable oil and an emulsifying agent (for example, E-471, E-472, E-475). Depending on the final product in which the fatty preparation is to be incorporated the fatty preparation may further include antioxidants, flavouring agents, food colorings, etc. The way in which this fatty preparation is obtained is advantageous over prior art as it has been previously disclosed.

0032In second aspect, the present invention relates to a fatty preparation comprising or consisting of the following components: <ol id="ol0002" compact="compact"><li>a) an oil selected from the group consisting of oleic high sunflower oil, olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil and grapeseed oil;</li><li>b) a fatty acid mono- and diglycerides-type emulsifier selected from E-471, E-472, E-475 or a mixture thereof;</li></ol> wherein said fatty preparation does not comprise fats with a saturated fat content higher than 40% by weight nor trans fats.

0033In a preferred embodiment, said fatty preparation further comprises at least one of the further ingredients: antioxidant (for example, E-306 (tocopherol concentrate) or E-304 (Ascorbyl palmitate), soy lecithin, food colorings (for example, liposolubles food colorings), flavouring agent (for example, liposolubles flavouring agents), guar gum, gum Arabic, meal, starch (rice, corn, potato), salt, sunflower lecithin, antioxidant, colorant, preservative, maltodextrin, glucose, sweetener, alginate, anhydrous citric acid or lactic acid or acetic acid or a mixture thereof, pectin, and cellulose. A person of ordinary skill in the art can choose one or another or a combination thereof depending on the final purpose. The present invention specifically encompass the individual addition of said other ingredients or of any group (at least two ingredients) of said ingredients in the fatty preparation.

0034In a particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is an antioxidant, for example selected from E-306 (tocopherol concentrate), E-304 (Ascorbyl palmitate) and a combination thereof.

0035In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is soy lecithin.

0036In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is a food coloring, for example a liposoluble food coloring.

0037In another particular preferred embodiment, said further ingredient is a flavouring agent, for example a liposoluble flavouring agent.

0038In a preferred embodiment, the following components of the fatty preparation, according to any of the previous embodiments, are present independently in the final composition in the following ranges (% w/w): <ol id="ol0003" compact="compact"><li>a) an oil selected from the group consisting of high oleic sunflower oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil and grapeseed oil in a range between 1% and 96%;</li><li>b) a fatty acid mono- and diglycerides-type emulsifier selected from E-471, E-472, E-475 or a mixture thereof in a range between 1% and 60;</li></ol> provided that the sum of the components in the final composition is equal or lower than 100%.

0039In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a food product comprising the fatty preparation according to the second aspect of the invention and all the embodiments included therein. In a preferred embodiment, said food product is a biscuit, "ensaimada", cream filling for biscuits, cakes, cookies, crackers, chocolate creams, dehydrated soups, stock cubes, food preparations for fast food, laminated doughs for use in pizza, in "empanadas", in short pastry, and in quiche.

0040The invention will now be further described by way of the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Manufacture of biscuits

0041The ingredients for preparing the dough for biscuits are: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Wheat flour</li><li>Sugar</li><li>Vegetable oils of the present invention</li><li>Glucose and fructose syrup</li><li>E-471</li><li>Salt</li><li>Gasifiers (sodium and ammonium bicarbonate)</li><li>Antioxidant E-306</li></ul>

0042The preparation of the fatty preparation comprising vegetable oils of the present invention, E-471 and antioxidant E-306 is carried out as follows: For preparing 450 liters of product: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fill the reactor with 350 liters of oil and heat it up to 90°C</li><li>Once the oil is heated, add between 50 and 90 kg of E-471 depending on the melting point required for the fatty preparation. In the case of biscuits, the amount will be approximately 80 kg of E-471</li><li>Add about 300 ppm of antioxidant E-306</li><li>Mix for approximately 30 minutes until the E-471 is completely melted, the mixture becomes transparent as well as the oil.</li><li>Cool up to 50°C-70°C</li><li>Pack the hot product in bucket containers or with a plastic bag.</li></ul>

0043We proceeded then to prepare the biscuit dough product. In a reactor tank the following ingredients (also mentioned above) which have been previously weighed will be mixed: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Wheat flour</li><li>Sugar</li><li>Glucose and fructose syrup</li><li>Salt</li><li>Gasifiers</li><li>Fatty preparation (including vegetable oils, E-471 and antioxidant) prepared as described above in solid form and in blocks in a bucket or bag format.</li></ul>

0044The tank will be heated to about 45°C under stirring or kneading and subsequently the dough will be pumped to be dosed as biscuits.

0045The temperature normally reaches 45 or 50°C because at that temperature the mass is fluid and can be pumped and dosed.

Example 2: Manufacture of cream filling for wafer-type biscuit

0046The ingredients for preparing cream fillings for a wafer-type biscuit are as follows: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Vegetable oils of the present invention</li><li>Whey powder</li><li>Powdered cream</li><li>Powdered milk</li><li>E-471</li><li>Emulsifier (soy lecithin)</li><li>Acidulant (tartaric acid)</li><li>Antioxidants E-304, E-306</li><li>Food colorings</li></ul>

0047The preparation of the fatty preparation comprising vegetable oils of the present invention, E-471, soy lecithin, antioxidants E-304 and E-306 and liposoluble food colorings is carried out as follows: For preparations of 450 liters of product: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fill the reactor with 350 liters of oil and heat it up to 85°C</li><li>Once the oil is heated, add between 50 and 90 kg of E-471 depending on the melting point required for the fatty preparation. In the case of cream fillings, the amount will be approximately between 60 and 85 kg of E-471</li><li>Add soy lecithin</li><li>Add about 300 ppm of antioxidants E-306 and E-304</li><li>Add liposoluble food colorings</li><li>Mix for approximately 30 minutes until the E-471 is completely melted, the mixture becomes transparent as well as the oil.</li><li>Cool up to 60°C-70°C</li><li>Pack the hot product in bucket containers or with a plastic bag.</li></ul>

0048We proceeded then to prepare the cream filling product. In a reactor tank the following ingredients (also mentioned above) which have been previously weighed will be mixed: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fatty preparation (including vegetable oils, E-471, soy lecithin, liposoluble food colorings and antioxidants E-304 and E-306) prepared as described above in solid form and in blocks in a bucket or bag format.</li><li>Whey powder</li><li>Powdered cream</li><li>Powedered milk</li><li>Acidulant (tartaric acid)</li></ul>

0049The tank will be heated to about 45°C under stirring or kneading and subsequently the dough will be pumped to be dosed as fillings.

0050The temperature normally reaches 45 or 50°C because at that temperature the mass is fluid and can be pumped and dosed.

0051As shown all the liposoluble ingredients can be integrated into the fatty preparation formula which would lead to a better dispersion of the ingredients and a reduction in the agitation of the cream filling since they have already been previously mixed and processing times would be reduced.

Example 3: Manufacture of "ensaimadas"

0052The ingredients for preparing a dough for an "ensaimada" are as follows: <ul id="ul0009" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Wheat flour</li><li>Sugar</li><li>Vegetable oils of the present invention</li><li>Glucose and fructose syrup</li><li>Egg white</li><li>Yeast</li><li>Egg</li><li>Salt</li><li>Emulsifiers: E-471 and E-472</li><li>Whey powder</li><li>liposoluble flavouring agent</li><li>Wheat gluten</li><li>Flour treatment agent: ascorbic acid.</li></ul>

0053The preparation of the fatty preparation comprising vegetable oils of the present invention, E-471, E-472, and liposoluble flavouring agents is carried out as follows: For preparations of 450 liters of product: <ul id="ul0010" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fill the reactor with 350 liters of oil and heat it up to 85°C</li><li>Once the oil is heated, add between 30 and 70 kg of E-471 and E-472 depending on the melting point required for the fatty preparation.</li><li>Add a liposoluble flavouring agent</li><li>Mix for approximately 30 minutes until the E-471 and E-472 are completely melted, the mixture becomes transparent as well as the oil.</li><li>Cool up to 60°C-70°C</li><li>Pack the hot product in bucket containers or with a plastic bag.</li></ul>

0054We proceeded then to prepare the "ensaimada" product. In a reactor tank the following ingredients (also mentioned above) which have been previously weighed will be mixed: <ul id="ul0011" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fatty preparation (including vegetable oils, E-471, E-472 and liposoluble flavouring agent) prepared as described above in solid form and in blocks in a bucket or bag format.</li><li>Wheat flour</li><li>Sugar</li><li>Glucose and fructose syrup</li><li>Egg white</li><li>Yeast</li><li>Egg</li><li>Salt</li><li>Whey powder</li><li>liposoluble flavouring agent</li><li>Wheat gluten</li><li>Flour treatment agent: ascorbic acid.</li></ul>

0055The tank will be heated to about 45°C under stirring or kneading and subsequently the dough for an "ensaimada" will be pumped to be dosed.

0056The temperature normally reaches 45 or 50°C because at that temperature the mass is fluid and can be pumped and dosed.

0057As shown all the liposoluble ingredients can be integrated into the fatty preparation formula which would lead to a better dispersion of the ingredients and a reduction in the stirring of the dough for "ensaimada" since they have already been previously mixed and processing times would be reduced.

Example 4: Manufacture of dough for pizza:

0058The ingredients for preparing a dough for pizza are as follows: <ul id="ul0012" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Wheat flour</li><li>Water</li><li>Sunflower oil</li><li>Vegetable fats of the present invention</li><li>E-471</li><li>Salt</li><li>Ethanol</li><li>Yeast</li></ul>

0059The preparation of the fatty preparation comprising vegetable oils of the present invention and E-471 is carried out as follows: For preparations of 450 liters of product: <ul id="ul0013" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fill the reactor with 350 liters of oil and heat it up to 90°C</li><li>Once the oil is heated, add between 30 and 70 kg of E-471 depending on the melting point required for the fatty preparation.</li><li>Mix for approximately 30 minutes until the E-471 is completely melted, the mixture becomes transparent as well as the oil.</li><li>Cool up to 60°C-70°C</li><li>Pack the hot product in bucket containers or with a plastic bag.</li></ul>

0060We proceeded then to prepare the dough for the pizza. In a reactor tank the following ingredients (also mentioned above) which have been previously weighed will be mixed: <ul id="ul0014" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fatty preparation (including vegetable oils and E-471) prepared as described above in solid form and in blocks in a bucket or bag format.</li><li>Water</li><li>Salt</li><li>Ethanol</li><li>Yeast</li></ul>

0061The tank will be heated to about 45°C under stirring or kneading and subsequently the dough for pizza will be pumped to be dosed.

0062The temperature normally reaches 45 or 50°C because at that temperature the mass is fluid and can be pumped and dosed.

Example 5: Manufacture of dehydrated broths:

0063The ingredients for a mixture of dehydrated broths are as follows: <ul id="ul0015" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Salt</li><li>Flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate)</li><li>Vegetable fats of the present invention</li><li>E-471</li><li>Yeast extract</li><li>Maltodextrin as thickening agent</li><li>Spices and vegetables</li><li>Food colorings</li><li>Liposoluble flavouring agent</li></ul>

0064The preparation of the fatty preparation comprising vegetable oils of the present invention, E-471, maltodextrin, food colorings and liposoluble flavouring agents is carried out as follows: For preparations of 450 liters of product: <ul id="ul0016" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fill the reactor with 350 liters of oil and heat it up to 90°C</li><li>Once the oil is heated, add between 50 and 150 kg of E-471 depending on the melting point required for the fatty preparation.</li><li>Mix for approximately 30 minutes until the E-471 is completely melted, the mixture becomes transparent as well as the oil.</li><li>Add maltodextrin, liposoluble flavouring agent and food colorings</li><li>Cool up to 60°C-70°C</li><li>Pack the hot product in bucket containers or with a plastic bag.</li></ul>

0065We proceeded then to prepare a mixture for dehydrated broths. In a reactor tank or emulsifier reactor the following ingredients (also mentioned above) which have been previously weighed will be mixed: <ul id="ul0017" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>Fatty preparation (including vegetable oils, E-471, maltodextrin, liposoluble flavouring agent and food colorings) prepared as described above in solid form and in blocks in a bucket or bag format.</li><li>Salt</li><li>Flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate)</li><li>Yeast extract</li><li>Maltodextrin</li><li>Spices and vegetables</li></ul>

0066The tank will be heated up to about 35-60°C under stirring to create an emulsion, and then the preparation for dehydrated broths will be pumped on surfaces with preshapes for the subsequent dehydration and compression.

0067The proposed fatty product will provide greater uniformity in the dispersion of the other ingredients by the amphoteric nature of E-471 and also will provide a greater fluidity to the dough than conventional palm or coconut fat.

0068The proposed fatty product will also present a greater organoleptic neutrality unlike the palm that has a characteristic flavor, which will allow a greater adaptation of the flavouring agents composing the formula.