Chapter 23, Problem 7TE

Could a food product containing glycerol and fatty acids but no triglycerides be advertised as being fat-free? If so, how might such advertising be misleading?

To determine

Whether food product containing glycerol and fatty acids but no triglycerides be advertised as fat-free.

Answer to Problem 7TE

No, as triglycerides is the esterification reaction product of the glycerol and fatty acids, hence the food cannot be advertised as fat-free.

Explanation of Solution

The fatty acid and glycerol on esterification forms glycerides. The glycerides are the major content of the fat source in food. Hence in order to be fat- free food product, the food product must be abstained from the glycerides or products forming glycerides. The food product having glycerol and fatty acids must not be advertised as fat-free food as their combination would ultimately lead to formation of glycerides and hence this advertising would be misleading.

Conclusion:

Therefore, as triglycerides is the esterification reaction product of the glycerol ad fatty acids, hence the food cannot be advertised as fat-free.