Cholesterol-cutting Cooking Oil

Prepared Foods, Jan, 2001 by Lynn Dornblaser

That depends on whom you talk to and in which country. Both Unilever (with Benecol) and McNeil (with Take Control) have experienced difficulty with their cholesterol-reducing margarines. The lines originally contained a number of other components such as snack bars and salad dressings.

Although the margarines appear to not be doing well, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, is testing a cholesterol-reducing cooking oil. Their Crisco CookSmart is made with plant sterol esters found in soybeans and comes in a 14-oz. bottle which sells for a hefty $2.99. Currently the company is testing the oil in only Sun City, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio.