Dow AgroSciences achieved an industry first with the unveiling of saturated fat free Omega-9 Sunflower Oil at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans.

For food manufacturers seeking solutions to meet increasing customer demand for healthier products, Omega-9 Sunflower Oil is one of the healthiest oils available. The oil also has zero trans fats and is uniquely high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for an overall reduction in saturated fat intake, replaced by monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, to decrease risk for cardiovascular disease.

Consumers now realize the impact that "bad," trans and saturated, fats have on their diet and long-term health and are looking for healthier oils now more than ever.

According to the 2010 Gallup Study of Healthy Fats & Oils, adults are making about the same amount of effort to include healthy fats and oils in their diet (58 percent) as they are to exclude unhealthy ones (61 percent).

With Omega-9 Sunflower Oil, food companies may significantly reduce or eliminate saturated fat from new front-of-pack labels, which will begin to appear on retail shelves within the next two years.

"Omega-9 Sunflower Oil provides a very powerful ingredient advantage for food manufacturers, potentially allowing them to eliminate saturated fat from food products by making the switch," said David Dzisiak, Commercial Leader Grains & Oils for Dow AgroSciences.