Chicago, July 20 - U.S. agribusiness Cargill Inc said on Monday it would stop producing hydrogenated oil at its Wichita, Kansas, plant in August due to reduced demand for trans fats in food products.
"The demand for hydrogenated oils has decreased significantly as a result of trans fat reduction in foods, therefore leaving the plant underutilized," Mike Venker, president of Cargill Dressings, Sauces & Oils, said in a statement.
"We made every effort to keep the production at the plant, but ultimately could not achieve acceptable production efficiencies."
Many food companies have removed artery-clogging trans fats from their products in response to concern over rising rates of obesity in the United States.
Any remaining hydrogenated oil production will be moved to other Cargill facilities. The Wichita plant will continue to produce salad oils.