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Cargill has secured the top spot in the Edible Oil Supplier Index 2025 for its global efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs), a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. The ranking, released by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi), assessed the world’s eight largest edible oil suppliers on their progress in improving nutrition and food safety.

Leading the Way in Food Safety

Cargill, a global food and agriculture company, earned an exceptional score of 81.4%, far ahead of the second-place company at 14.2%. The ranking evaluated corporate performance across four areas: strategy, product reformulation, stakeholder engagement, and transparency—with food safety playing a critical role in each. A key factor behind Cargill’s recognition is its complete removal of iTFAs from its global portfolio of edible oils. This proactive move goes beyond regulatory requirements, especially in countries where no legal limits exist. Cargill voluntarily aligned its products with the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of no more than 2 grams of iTFAs per 100 grams of total fat in food.

Public Health Impact

Trans fats are considered among the most harmful types of fat, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease. WHO has called for a global phase-out of iTFAs, and Cargill became the first—and so far only—global edible oil supplier to fully meet these standards across its product range by January 2024.

To reach this goal, Cargill:

• Invested millions in upgrading production facilities

• Dedicated thousands of R&D hours to safer reformulations

• Helped hundreds of food manufacturers transition to iTFA-free products

• Removed over 1.5 billion pounds of iTFA-containing oils from the global food supply

Enabling Safer Products for Consumers

Cargill’s work has helped food brands around the world remove iTFAs without compromising taste or quality. In Mexico, for instance, Cargill collaborated with bakery brand Chantilly to successfully reformulate its whipping cream range, making it iTFA-free while retaining its flavour and function. “This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to responsible nutrition,” said David VandenEinde, Vice President of R&D for Food North America at Cargill. “We’ve worked closely with customers to create safer food options that meet both health standards and consumer expectations.”

Supporting Global Regulation and Change

By the end of 2023, only 53 countries had adopted WHO’s recommended iTFA limits. In response, Cargill stepped in as a technical advisor to support governments and public health agencies in drafting and implementing local trans fat regulations. This work has helped accelerate food safety policies, especially in regions where regulation is still emerging.

A Safer Future Through Innovation

Cargill’s achievement reaffirms its role in driving global food safety. With over 160 years of industry experience and a workforce of 160,000, the company continues to focus on health-conscious innovation, ensuring that nutrition, safety, and sustainability evolve together. “Nutrition and food safety go hand in hand,” said VandenEinde. “This milestone motivates us to continue transforming the food system for a healthier future.”

Source: Foodtech News