A delicious fried donut is a treat but, what type of oil does Dunkin use to fry their donuts?
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What Type Of Oil Does Dunkin Use To Fry Their Donuts
Dunkin currently fries their donuts in what they refer to as Vegetable Oil.
This vegetable oil is a combination of Palm Kernel and/or Palm Oil.
What Is Palm Kernal And Palm Oil
- Palm Oil: Palm oil is the most widely produced vegetable oil globally and is derived from the pulp of the oil palm fruit. It is a versatile oil with a reddish-orange color and is commonly used in various food products, such as cooking oil, margarine, baked goods, and processed foods.
- Palm oil is also used in non-food products, including cosmetics, soaps, and detergents. It is a significant ingredient in many food and consumer goods due to its high melting point, which makes it stable at room temperature and suitable for extended shelf life.
- Palm Kernel Oil: Palm kernel oil, on the other hand, is obtained from the seed or kernel of the oil palm fruit. It is a lighter yellow oil with a slightly different composition from palm oil.
- Palm kernel oil is widely used in the production of various edible fats, such as shortening, vegetable ghee, and cocoa butter substitutes. Additionally, it is utilized in non-edible products like soaps, detergents, and personal care items.
Is Palm Oil Bad For You
Palm oil is a controversial oil for many reasons including its effects and potential harm to your health.
The main factor to be concerned with when it comes to any fat or oil is the saturated fat content.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which is a type of fat that has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease when consumed in large amounts.
Diets high in saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol levels, also known as “bad” cholesterol, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Is Palm Oil Bad For The Environment
Palm oil and palm kernel oil are prevalent in the global market due to their low production costs and high oil yield per hectare of cultivated land.
However, the expansion of palm oil plantations has raised environmental concerns, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and impacts on biodiversity.
Dunkin has received a lot of negative publicity for choosing to use this controversial oil.
Dunkin released a statement regarding their best practices and goal of using palm oil in their products.
Did Dunkin Change Their Frying Oil
In 2007, Dunkin Donuts announced that they would be switching from their current oil that contained transfats to the new vegetable oil (palm) that they use now.
What Type Of Oils Are In The Foods At Dunkin
At Dunkin, you will find oils in many of the food products that they offer.
You may discover the following oils at Dunkin.
- Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is a versatile and commonly used cooking oil. It is often used for frying and baking due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
- Cottonseed Oil: Cottonseed oil is another type of vegetable oil that is used in food preparation, including frying and baking. Like soybean oil, it has a high smoke point.
- Palm Oil: Palm oil is used in some Dunkin’ products, particularly in certain baked goods and pastries. It is also used in various food products and is known for its stability and texture-enhancing properties.
- Canola Oil: Canola oil is a healthier option as it is lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fat. It is used in some of Dunkin’s food items as well.
- Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil is another healthier oil option, rich in vitamin E and low in saturated fat. It may be used in certain Dunkin’ food products.
- Corn Oil: Corn oil is used in some cooking and baking applications due to its mild taste and high smoke point.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is used in certain Dunkin’ products, especially those with a coconut flavor profile.
Is Their Transfat In Dunkin Donuts
The nutrition guide provided by Dunkin states the following.
“Trans Fat quantities displayed in this guide represent naturally occurring trans fats.
All of our products contain zero grams of artificial trans fat.”
It appears that Dunkin does not add any trans fats to their foods but, you do need to be aware that if the amount of trans fat in a product is under 1 gram it can be labeled “0 trans fats”.
Does Dunkin Donuts Use Hydrogenated Oil
You would think that you wouldn’t find hydrogenated oil in the products at Dunkin but, I found some listed on their allergen and ingredient guide.
Currently, I found hydrogenated oil in the following items.
- Kosher Sandwiches and Wraps
- Regular Wake-Up Wraps
- Breakfast Tacos
FAQ
Does Dunkin Use Vegetable Oil
Dunkin Donuts uses a variety of vegetable oils including palm, palm kernel, soybean, cottonseed, coconut, corn, and sunflower.
Does Dunkin Use Palm Oil
Dunkin uses Palm kernel and palm oil to fry their donuts, you may also find palm oil as an ingredient in other products.
