Natreon is virtually trans free, has low levels of saturated fats and contains healthy fats

Indianapolis, IN - January 12, 2005

Natreon, a naturally stable canola oil that is essentially trans fat free, is poised to capture a significant portion of the trans-free oil market. The product is produced by Dow AgroSciences. After the 2005 Dietary Guidelines were issued today, a Natreon spokesperson noted the naturally stable and healthy oil fits the recommendation to reduce saturated fat and keep trans fats as low as possible, while including healthy fats in the diet.

"For the first time in the history of the Dietary Guidelines, the government is recommending that trans fats be virtually eliminated from our diets and that saturated fats be dramatically lowered," said David Dzisiak, Oils and Oilseeds global leader for Dow AgroSciences. "Dow AgroSciences' Natreon oil uniquely meets this need on both fronts, with essentially no trans fats and the lowest saturated fat levels of any oil on the market."

"It's not just trans fat, but all three [cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats] that should be looked at by the consumer and kept as low as possible," said Barbara Schneeman, PhD, FAHA, Director, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. This follows recommendations from other leading health authorities advising consumers to eliminate trans fats from the diet.

Trans fats increase bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and also depress good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which actually fights heart disease. In addition, recent research shows that trans fat consumption is linked to increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to the onset of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Harvard School of Public Health researchers estimate that trans fats in the diet cause more than 30,000 deaths each year.

Experts are now in agreement that it is important to reduce saturated fats and eliminate trans fats, as evidenced by the new Dietary Guidelines. Unfortunately, trans fats are prevalent in many foods consumed in the United States. About five billion of the 8 billion pounds of oils containing trans fats used each year can be accounted for in the food service and snack food industry.

"The use of Natreon™ canola oil can help the food service and snack food industry improve the nutritional value of their products by eliminating trans fats and reducing saturated fats, and replacing them with healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Natreon is an excellent choice for the food industry because it will not break down under high-heat, has a longer shelf life than most oils, and reduces the bad fats from our diets," said Dzisiak.

The new Guidelines are clear in recommending that consumers should keep trans fats as low as possible, keep saturated fat to less than 10% of calories, and lower cholesterol. Equally as important as lowering "bad" fats is choosing "good" fats.

Many of the top restaurants and chefs in the country, like Todd Grey at Equinox in Washington, D.C. are beginning to use Natreon™ canola oil as a replacement to partially-hydrogenated oils that contain trans fats and high levels of saturated fats. "Taking a healthy food, like fish, and frying it in a trans-free oil, like Natreon, ensures the end result remains healthy," said Dzisiak.

The Guidelines say, "Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils." The Guidelines note that fats are an important part of a healthy diet. They "supply energy and essential fatty acids and serve as a carrier for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and carotenoids. Fats serve as building blocks of membranes and play a key regulatory role in numerous biological functions."

Natreon was developed by conventional plant breeding techniques and is a non-genetically modified product. In addition to its health attributes, fry studies have shown that Natreon™ canola oil outperforms partially hydrogenated soybean oil in stability, fry life, reduced polar compound formation, and important sensory attributes.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 5,700 people in more than 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of US $3 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information about Dow AgroSciences, visit www.dowagro.com. For more information Natreon™ canola oil, visit www.natreon.com.

™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

For Editorial Information:

Robyn Heine
Dow AgroSciences LLC
317.337.4807