Fat Blend

A fat blend is a mixture of different fats and oils, often including vegetable oils, animal fats, or both. These blends are created to achieve specific textural, flavour, or functional properties in food products. The exact composition can vary widely depending on the intended application.

Fat blends are used to modify the melting point, spreadability, and mouthfeel of foods. They are commonly found in baked goods, confectionery, spreads, and processed meats. Manufacturers use them to improve product consistency, stability, and overall sensory appeal.

Fat blends are not typically considered food additives and do not have an E-number. Their health implications are primarily related to their fat content, particularly saturated and unsaturated fats, which contribute to overall energy intake. The NHS advises limiting saturated fats as part of a balanced diet. Regulatory bodies like the FSA and FSS monitor the safety of all food ingredients, but specific evaluations of 'fat blend' as a category are not usually undertaken; rather, the individual fats and oils within the blend are assessed.