CORANDOMIZED FAT COMPOSITIONS FOR INFANT FORMULAS

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises fat compositions primarily for use in nutritionally complete infant formulas in which the constituent palmitic acid oils and oleic acid oils are corandomized. The invention additionally includes such corandomized fat compositions with medium-chain triglycerides added, particularly for use in nutritional products for preterm or low birthweight infants. The corandomization of the palmitic acid oil and oleic acid oil yields a mixture of triglycerides having a substantially different chemical makeup than that of the native oils themselves, than the native oils when randomized individually, or than palmitic and lauric acids corandomized. The corandomization affords an economical means of providing a very highly absorbed fat composition and in particular results in a considerable reduction in the excretion, i.e. non-absorption, of palmitic acid.

Description: C RANr. MI7F.n FAT COMPOSITIONS FOR TNFANT FORMULAS The invention disclosed herein comprises fat compositions primarily for use in nutritionally complete infant formulas in which the constituent palmitic acid oils and oleic acid oils are corandomized. The invention additionally includes such corandomized fat compositions with medium-chain triglycerides added, particularly for use in nutritional products for preterm or low birthweight infants. Such corandomization of two or more oils yields a mixture of triglycerides having a substantially different chemical makeup than that of the native oils themselves or than the native oils when randomized individually. Corandomization of the palmitic acid and the oleic acid oils affords an economical means of providing a very highly absorbed fat composition with a fatty acid profile approaching that of human milk. Background Of The Invention U.S. Patent No. 3,542,560, issued on November 24, 1970 to Tomarelli et al, discloses fat compositions for infant formulas having an increased portion of the palmitic acid in the beta (2) position of the triglyceride. This increase is obtained by blending lard, or a synthetic beta-monopalmitin, with the other oils comprising the fat composition, which have a relatively low portion of beta palmitic acid. Such other oils listed are com, soy bean, palm, peanut, coconut, olive, babassu, cotton seed, oleo, and tallow. However, the use of lard is unacceptable in many areas of the world for religious reasons, and synthetic triglycerides are prohibitively expensive for large scale use. Thus, fat compositions for use in infant formulas are sought which are broadly acceptable on religious dietary grounds, are highly absorbed, have a fatty acid content similar to human milk and are economical to manufacture on very large scales. Three more recent U.S. patents disclose all vegetable oil fat compositions for use in infant nutritional products with palm oil as the sole palmitic acid oil . These are U.S. Patent No. 4,282,265, issued on August 4, 1981, to Theuer and U.S. Patent Nos. 4,614,663 and 4,721,626, issued on September 30, 1986 and January 26, 1988, respectively, to Rule. Most recently, European patent publication No. 0376628, published on July 4, 1990, to American Home Products Corporation (Tomarelli) discloses all vegetable oil fat compositions in which the palmitic acid oil alone is randomized. This European patent publication also discloses all vegetable oil fat compositions including medium- chain triglycerides for use in infant nutritional products for preterm or low birthweight infants in which the palmitic acid oil alone is randomized. EP 0488800 discloses fat compositions differing from those of EP 0376628 in that at least one palmitic acid oil and one lauric acid oil are corandomized. Corandomization of these oils causes interesterification randomly between the fatty acids of the palmitic acid oil and the lauric acid oil. This corandomization of the two oils resulted in surprisingly superior absorbability to that found when only the palm olein oil of the mixture was randomized. The present invention differs in that at least one palmitic acid oil and at least one oleic acid oil are corandomized. In consequence a fat blend with surprisingly superior absorbability and a close simulation to human breast milk can be prepared. Advantageously, the use of canola oil provides a relatively high level of α-linolenic acid which is converted to docohexaenoic acid (DHA) in the infant body. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the fatty acids most poorly absorbed, i.e. most readily excreted, during infant nutrition. Where the fat blend of an infant formula is made from oils of vegetable origin, the content of stearic acid in the fat blend is relatively small. Thus palmitic acid represents the important poorly absorbed fatty acid. Hence reduction in the amount of excretion of palmitic acid constitutes a desirable target in the art. Corandomization of a palmitic acid oil with either a lauric acid oil or an oleic acid oil reduces the proportion of palmitic acid excreted compared with the corresponding mixture not subjected to corandomization. It has been discovered that the reduction is greater in the case of the corandomization product used in the invention compared with the corandomization product used in EP 0488800. That discovery is an advantage of the invention. This invention provides a fat composition particularly for use in a nutritionally complete infant formula, comprising (a) 16-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 20-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic acid oils selected from palm oil, and palm olein oil; (c) 13-37%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 0-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from corn oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, wherein the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils, and optionally the linoleic acid oil or oils, are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-22 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 13-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 28-43 parts of oleic acid; and (iv) 10-23 parts of linoleic acid. We shall refer to such compositions as corandomized fat compositions. Preferred corandomized fat compositions of this aspect of the invention are those wherein only the palmitic acid oil or oils and oleic acid oil or oils are corandomized. Also preferred are those fat compositions wherein only one oil of each type is used, and only one palmitic acid oil and one oleic acid oil are corandomized. The preferred palmitic acid oil is palm olein oil. The preferred oleic acid oil is canola oil. The preferred linoleic acid oils are com oil and soybean oil, of which soybean oil is particularly preferred. It will be appreciated that the three oleic acid oils, canola, safflower oleic, and sunflower oleic oil, have sufficiently high linoleic acid contents (20 and 15 percent, respectively) and therefore a linoleic acid oil may not be needed to provide the desired nutritional amounts of linoleic acid. Most advantageously, the use of canola oil provides a relatively high level of α- linolenic acid which is converted to docohexaenoic acid (DHA) in the infant body. DHA is present in human milk, but is itself not a constituent of available vegetable oils. DHA is of crucial importance to retinal function. Advantageous linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratios of 15 to 1 to 4 to 1 (more preferably 11 to 1 to 4 to 1) are obtained from this aspect of the invention. Preferably the corandomized fat compositions of the invention have 0.9-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides. More preferably this amount is 1.2-3.7, advantageously 2.4-3.7, parts of α-linolenic acid. The stearic acid content may be 2.8-4.0, preferably 2.9-3.4, parts per 100 parts of fatty acids. Preferred corandomized fat compositions of the invention comprise (a) 16-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a lauric acid oil selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 30-46%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a palmitic acid oil selected from palm oil and palm olein oil; (c) 13-34%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or two oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 7-26%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a linoleic acid oil selected from co oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, wherein the palmitic acid oil and the oleic acid oil or oils are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-15 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 16-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 32-42 parts of oleic acid; and (iv) 10-20 parts of linoleic acid. Preferably the corandomized fat compositions of the invention have 1.2-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides. More preferably this amount is 2.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. Linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratios of 11 to 1 to 4 to 1 are preferred. Especially preferred corandomized fat compositions of the invention are those wherein the oils comprise (a) 20-25% coconut oil; (b) 39-46% palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 14-29% canola oil;and (d) 11-20% com oil or soybean oil, wherein the palm oil or palm olein oil and the canola oil are corandomized, and wherein the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of total fatty acid present as triglycerides, (i) 9-14 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 18-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 33-39 parts of oleic acid; (iv) 15-19 parts of linoleic acid; and (v) 2.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. Linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratios of 11 to 1 to 4 to 1 are preferred. Further particularly preferred corandomized fat compositions of the invention are those wherein the ratio of the palmitic acid oil to the oleic acid oil is between 78/22 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil and 50/50 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil. Especially preferred are fat compositions of the invention wherein the ratio of the palmitic acid oil to the oleic acid oil is between 75/25 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil and 55/45 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil. The use of canola oil as the oleic acid oil to be corandomized with the palmitic acid oil is further advantageous because it reduces the lauric acid content of the resulting fat composition to an amount somewhat closer to that of human milk. (Compare Table Ilia with Table V.) In a further advantageous aspect, this invention also provides a fat composition particularly for use in a nutritionally complete preterm (or low birthweight) infant formula, comprising (a) 8-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 10-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic oils selected from palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 8-45%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 0-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-50%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), wherein the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils, and optionally the linoleic acid oil or oils, are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-34 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-16 parts of capric acid; (iϋ) 5-15 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 16-39 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 9-20 parts of linoleic acid. We shall refer to such compositions as corandomized, preterm fat compositions. Preferred corandomized, preterm fat compositions of the invention are those wherein only the palmitic acid oils and the oleic acid oils are corandomized. Also preferred are those preterm fat compositions wherein only one oil of each type is used, and only one palmitic acid oil and one oleic acid oil are corandomized. The preferred palmitic acid oil is palm olein oil. The preferred lauric acid oil is coconut oil. The preferred oleic acid oil is canola oil, and the preferred linoleic acid oils are com oil and soybean oil. As noted above, canola oil, safflower oil and sunflower oleic oil, independently, may provide sufficient levels of linoleic acid such that no linoleic acid oil is needed in some of the subject preterm fat compositions. Preferably the corandomized fat compositions of the invention have 1.1-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides. More preferably this amount is 1.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid, most preferably 2.3-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. Advantageous linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratios of 15 to 1 to 4 to 1 (more preferably 11 to 1 to 4 to 1) are obtained from this aspect of the invention. Preferred corandomized, preterm fat compositions of the invention comprise (a) 9-27 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a lauric acid oil selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 15-40 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a palmitic oil selected from palm oil, or palm olein oil; (c) 12-33 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or two oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 8-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a linoleic acid oil selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-30%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), wherein the palmitic acid oil and the oleic acid oil are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-22 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-10 parts of capric acid; (iii) 9-19 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 23-36 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 13-19 parts of linoleic acid. Preferably the corandomized fat compositions of the invention have 1.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides. More preferably this amount is 2.3-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. Especially preferred preterm, corandomized fat compositions of the invention are those wherein the oils comprise (a) 9-27% coconut oil; (b) 16-32% palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 16-33% canola oil; (d) 9-20% co oil or soybean oil; and (e) 10-30% MCT's, wherein the palm olein oil and the canola oil are corandomized, and wherein the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of total fatty acid present as triglycerides, (i) 8-21 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-10 parts of capric acid; (iii) 10-17 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 27-33 parts of oleic acid; (v) 14-18 parts of linoleic acid; and (vii) 2.3-3.4 parts of α-linolenic acid. Further particularly preferred corandomized fat compositions of the invention are those wherein the ratio of the palmitic acid oil to the oleic acid oil is between 78/22 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil and 25/75 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil. Especially preferred are fat compositions of the invention wherein the ratio of the palmitic acid oil to the oleic acid oil is between 65/35 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil and 35/65 palmitic acid oil/oleic acid oil. Thus, in general this invention provides a fat composition useful for the nutrition of a human infant, the fat composition comprising (a) one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) one or more palmitic acid oils selected from palm oil, and palm olein oil; (c) one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) optionally one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, and (e) optionally, medium chain triglycerides wherein the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils, and, optionally the linoleic acid oil or oils, are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fatty acid composition is nutritionally adapted to the human infant. The foregoing descriptions of the invention represent preferred aspects of the invention for regular term infants and preterm (low birthweight) infants. The corandomization products of the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils as used in the present invention are mixtures of triglycerides having unique chemical structures. In native fats and oils, the various fatty acids are positioned, i.e. esterified, on one of the three hydroxy groups of the glycerol molecule in an ordered pattern that is characteristic of the particular fat or oil. In general, the long chain saturated fatty acids, C16-C18, are predominantly on the 1 and 3 position, the mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids on the 2 or middle position of the triglyceride molecule. A second distributional characteristic of the fatty acids on the glycerol backbone that exists in nature results in a very large percentage of the triglycerides being so-called mixed triglycerides, i.e. each of the three fatty acids, or at least two, are different. There is only a small amount of simple triglycerides, those in which the three hydroxy groups are esterified with the same fatty acids, e.g. tripalmitin (C16), triolein (C18), etc. Chemical interesterification, also called randomization (since it alters the non- random distribution of nature), may be accomplished by heating the fat or oil for a short period of time, usually with a catalyst such as sodium methylate. The fatty acids leave their natural position on the triglyceride and rearrange in a random fashion, i.e., equally on each of the three positions. Thus, one-third of each individual fatty acid is on the one position, one-third on the two, and one-third on the three position of the triglycerides. Randomization of an individual native fatty acid oil also results in an increase in the content of simple triglycerides, or in the case of a palmitic acid oil, of triglycerides consisting only of the long chain saturated fatty acids palmitic and stearic acids. For example, when palm oil or palm olein oil is randomized alone, there is an increase in the amount of palmitic-stearic triglycerides from approximately 3% in the native oils to 11% in the individually randomized oils. Such long chain, completely saturated triglycerides are particularly poorly absorbed. Further, the resulting corandomization product of the palmitic acid oil or oils and oleic acid oil or oils differs chemically from those in which the palmitic acid oil or oils and the lauric acid oil or oils are corandomized. The effect of corandomization on the positional distribution of fatty acids of native palm olein and canola oils is presented in Table Ha. Table Ila Effect Of Corandomization On The Positional Distribution Of The Fattv Acids Non-randomized Corandomized 65% PO/35%Can* 65% PO/35%Can* % % in % % in FA 2-pos. FA 2-pos. Fatty acid** C12 0.2 _ 0.2 33 C14 0.7 7 0.7 34 C16 27.5 6 27.8 33 C18 3.5 44 3.6 32 C18:l 46.5 8 46.1 33 C18:2 14.1 49 13.8 33 * PO = palm olein oil and Can = canola oil ** See Table IV for the names of the fatty acids Corandomized palm olein and oleic acid oil also differs importantly in its biochemical properties from a mixture of native palm olein and oleic acid oils. This difference is particularly significant for use in infant nutritional products. In the digestion of triglycerides in the intestine, pancreatic lipase hydrolyzes the fatty acids at the 1 and 3 position, resulting in two free fatty acids and a 2-monoglyceride containing the fatty acid of the glyceride 2 position. A long chain saturated fatty acid is less well absorbed as a free fatty acid than if it is present in the gut as a 2- monoglyceride. Palmitic acid is the major saturated fatty acid of human milk triglycerides. It is a long chain, C16, fatty acid. Long chain fatty acids are not as well absorbed as short chain or unsaturated fatty acids, yet the palmitic acid of human milk is well absorbed because the palmitic acid of human milk is predominantly in the 2-position, and, after intestinal digestion, the majority of the palmitic acid is present in the intestine as the more readily absorbed 2-monopalmitin. As seen in Table Ila above, corandomized palm olein oil/canola oil has triple the amount of palmitic acid in the 2 position of the triglyceride as does the respective mixture of native palm olein oil and native canola oil. Accordingly, the nutritional value of the corandomized fat compositions of the invention is significantly improved with respect to prior all vegetable oil fat compositions which use only the native palmitic acid oils. Corandomization may be accomplished by heating from 0.5 to 4 hours, preferably 0.5 to 2 hours, at temperatures from 100-140°C, preferably 110-130 β C, with 0.05-0.50 percent, preferably 0.05-0.15 percent, of sodium methylate present. The end point of the corandomization process should provide palmitic acid at least 27%, and preferably 33%, in the 2 position of the triglycerides. The present invention also provides a nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition containing the fat compositions according to the invention, as fully described above. Such food product comprises the fat composition, a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and appropriate levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional factors. The product may be a ready-to-feed liquid, or in the form of a powder or concentrated liquid adapted to provide a ready- to-feed form by the addition of water and stirring. The product preferably contains 2.2 to 4.0 g, advantageously about 3.6 g of a fat composition of the invention; 1.2 to 3.0 g, advantageously about 1.5 g of protein; and 6 to 9 g of carbohydrate - per 100 ml of the ready- to-feed liquid formula supplying preferably 60-75 kcal per 100 ml. As protein sources there may be mentioned casein, salts of casein (e.g. potassium caseinate), whey protein concentrate, soybean protein isolate, cow's milk protein, or hydrolyzed whey, casein or soy protein. Cow's milk protein differs from that of human milk in the proportions present as casein and whey protein. Cow's milk has about 80% casein and 20% whey proteins, whereas human milk has about 40% casein and about 60% whey proteins. Accordingly, the protein used may be adapted to simulate that of human milk by supplementing cow's milk protein with an appropriate amount of whey protein. Because whey contains a very high proportion of the minerals of milk, the whey is subjected to demineralization, in particular by electrodialysis or ultrafiltration, to prepare whey protein. When a milk-free diet for infants who are intolerant of cow's milk protein is desired, the protein source may be isolated soy protein or hydrolyzed casein or whey protein. The proteins may be used in combination. As a carbohydrate source lactose is generally preferred in formulas for normal, healthy infants. However, lactose would be contraindicated for infants suffering from galactosemia, lactose intolerance, or cow's milk protein intolerance. (In the latter case, the lactose may contain traces of cow's milk protein.) Where a milk-free diet is desired, the carbohydrate source may be sucrose, corn syrup solids (glucose polymers), or a combination of com syrup solids with sucrose. The carbohydrates may also be used in combination. Additionally, the food product (infant formula) would contain nutritionally acceptable quantities of the following minerals and vitamins: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine and selenium; and vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin Ki, vitamin Bi, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, biotin, choline and inositol. The food product could contain other nutritional factors, such as taurine, carnitine, nucleotides, and a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present invention also provides a nutritionally complete food product adapted for the feeding of preterm or low birthweight infants, said product containing a fat composition according to the invention as fully described above. The product may be a ready-to-feed liquid or a powder or a concentrated liquid adapted to provide the ready- to-feed form by the addition of water and stirring. The product preferably contains, per 100 ml of ready- to-feed formula, 1.5 - 2.5 g of protein, preferably 2.0 - 2.2 g of whey predominant protein; 2.2 -6.0 g of fat, preferably 3.5 - 4.4 g of the preferred corandomized fat blend of the present invention; and 4.7 - 11.0 g of carbohydrate, preferably 7.0 - 8.6 g consisting of approximately equal parts of lactose and glucose polymers, said amounts supplying preferably 65 - 85 kcal / 100ml. Additionally, the preterm food product contains the vitamins, minerals and other nutritional factors described above for the term formula, but in amounts suitable for the preterm or low birthweight infant. The invention includes a process for the preparation of the fat composition by blending the components (a), (b), (c), and (d) [and (e) for the preterm fat composition] together in such proportions that the resultant composition has the required composition of fatty acids. Additionally, an emulsifying agent such as lecithin or diglycerides, in an amount up to 2 percent of the total weight of the fat composition, may be blended into the fat mixture. Soy bean lecithin concentrate is commonly used, and since the concentrate contains essentially the same amount of fatty acids as in soybean oil, in the examples of fat blends presented below, 1 percent of soybean lecithin concentrate is included in the listed amounts of soybean oil. The proportions of the oils to be used can be calculated from the fatty acid profiles of the individual oil components. The blending is preferably performed at a blending temperature above the melting point of the fat mixture, whereby each component oil is in the liquid phase. The heating of the oils to the blending temperature and the mixing of the oils in a conventional mixing apparatus should be carried out with careful temperature control. A blending temperature within the range of about 36°C to 50°C may be used. Oil soluble vitamins are normally dissolved in the fat composition as a preliminary step. To prepare the nutritionally complete food product, the completed fat mixture is mixed with the other components which have been separately combined. The combination is then emulsified. Processing to a final ready-to-feed liquid, concentrated liquid or powder may be carried out in a conventional manner. More particulary, this invention includes a process for preparing a fat composition particularly useful in a nutritionally complete infant formula, said process being characterized in that the corandomization product obtainable by interesterification of one or more palmitic acid oils and one or more oleic acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils , which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (b), (c) and (d) below, until the palmitic acid of the product random triglycerides is at least 27 % in the 2-position, is admixed with one or more lauric acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils, which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (a) and (d) below, wherein the resulting fat composition comprises, (a) 16-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 20-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic acid oils selected from palm oil, and palm olein oil; (c) 13-37%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 0-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-22 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 13-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 28-43 parts of oleic acid and (iv) 10-23 parts of linoleic acid. Also included is a process for making a nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition, said process characterized in that a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and a fat composition made by the above- stated process are admixed. Additionally, this invention includes a process for preparing a fat composition particularly useful in a nutritionally complete infant formula for preterm infants, said process being characterized in that the corandomization product obtainable by interesterification of one or more palmitic acid oils and one or more oleic acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils , which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (b), (c) and (d) below, until the palmitic acid of the product random triglycerides is at least 27 % in the 2-position, is admixed with one or more lauric acid oils and medium-chain triglycerides and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils, which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (a), (e) and (d) below, wherein the resulting fat composition comprises, (a) 8-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 10-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic oils selected from palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 8-45%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 0-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-50%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium- chain triglycerides, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-34 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-16 parts of capric acid; (iii) 5-15 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 16-39 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 9-20 parts of linoleic acid. Also included is a process for making a nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition, said process characterized in that a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and a fat composition for preterm infants made by the above-stated process are admixed. The practice of the invention is further represented by the following examples: Example 1 Vegetable Oil Fat Blends Containing A Corandomization Product Of Palmitic Acid And Oleic Acid Oils Table Illb below shows the fatty acid composition of three preferred vegetable lends of the invention in which palm olein and canola oil are corandomized. Table ma Preferred Vegetable Oil Fat Blends Containing A Corandomization Product Of Palm Olein and Canola Oil Rl R2 R3 PO/C PO/C PO/C Oils 63/37 63/37 75/25 Coconut 22.0 22.0 22.0 Palm olein* 41.0* 41.0* 45.0* Canola* 24.0* 24.0* 15.0* Com 13.0 Soybean - 13.0 18.0 fattv acids** C8 1.5 1.5 1.5 CIO 1.1 1.1 1.1 C12 12.0 12.0 12.0 C14 4.3 4.3 4.3 C C1166 1 199..55 19.4 21.1 C18 3.0 3.2 3.4 C16:l 0.2 0.2 0.2 C18:l 37.5 37.1 34.6 C18:2 16.9 16.5 17.9 C C1188::33 2 2Λ.4 3.0 2.5 * Oils corandomized ** See Table IV for the names of the fatty acids. PO = palm olein oil and C = canola oil Table Illb below shows the fatty acid composition of six vegetable oil fat blends of the invention in which the palmitic acid oil and one or two oleic acid oils are corandomized. Table nib Vegetable Oil Fat Blends Containing A Corandomization Product Of Palmitic Acid and Oleic Acid Oils R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 RIO Lauric acid oils ccooccoonnuutt 2 255 25 20 25 babassu 25 25 palm kernel 25 Palmitic acid oils* palm olein 32* 32* 32* 30* 32* p paallmm 32* 32* Oleic acid oils* safflower oleic 28* 28* 28* 23* canola 28* 28* 5* sunflower oleic 28* Linoleic acid oils soy 15 15 15 22 15 safflower 15 15 Fattv acids** C12 13.6 11.4 13.5 11.3 12.9 10.9 13.6 C14 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 5.0 3.8 4.8 C16 17.0 17.0 18.1 18.1 17.3 16.2 16.9 C18 3.0 3.5 3.3 3.8 3.0 3.8 3.0 C18:l 40.6 42.7 32.5 34.6 42.8 42.4 39.8 C18:2 16.0 16.0 21.7 21.7 16.3 18.4 16.3 C18:3 0.9 0.9 2.3 2.3 0.9 1.4 1.4 * oils corandomized ** See Table V for the names of the fatty acids Table IVa below shows the fatty acid composition of three preferred preterm vegetable oil fat blends of the invention in which palm olein and canola oil are corandomized. Table IVa Preferred Preterm Vegetable Oil Fat Blends Containing A Corandomization Product Of Palm Olein and Canola Oil PI P2 P3 35/65 45/55 63/37 Oils Coconut 9.0 27.0 27.0 Palm Olein* 18.0* 20.0* 30.0* Canola* 33.0* 24.0* 18.0* Com 10.0 19.0 - Soy - - 15.0 MCT 30.0 10.0 10.0 Fattv acids** C6 0.7 0.2 0.2 C8 20.4 8.5 8.5 CIO 9.7 4.4 4.4 C12 5.3 14.7 14.8 C14 1.8 4.9 5.0 C16 9.8 12.3 15.5 C18 1.8 2.3 2.8 C16:l 0.1 0.1 0.1 C18:l 31.4 30.3 29.4 C18:2 14.5 18.1 15.2 C18:3 3.2 2.5 2.6 * oils corandomized ** See Table V for the names of the fatty acids Table IVb below shows the fatty acid composition of five preterm vegetable oil fat blends of the invention in which the palmitic acid oil and one or two oleic acid oils are corandomized. Table IVb Preterm Vegetable Oil Fat Blends Containing A Corandomization Product Of Palmitic Acid and Oleic Acid Oils P4 P5 P6 P P8 Lauric acid oil Coconut 27 - 27 27 27 Palm kernel - 27 - - - Palmitic acid oil* Palm olein 20* 20* 20* 20* 20* Oleic acid oil* High oleic safflower 25* 25* - - 20* High oleic sunflower - - - 25* - Canola - - - 24* 5* Lnoleic acid oil Com - - - 19 - Soy 18 18 18 - 18 Medium-chain tri. MCT 10 10 10 10 10 Fattv acids** C8 8.5 7.0 8.5 8.5 8.5 CIO 4.4 3.9 4.4 4.4 4.4 C12 14.8 14.0 14.8 14.8 14.8 C14 5.0 5.2 4.9 5.0 5.0 C16 12.6 13.0 12.4 15.5 12.5 C18 2.6 2.5 3.0 2.8 2.6 18:1 33.9 36.3 35.0 29.4 33.2 18:2 15.9 16.2 14.8 15.2 16.2 18:3 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.6 1.6 * oils corandomized ** See Table V for the names of the fatty acids Table V below shows the ranges of the fatty acid composition of human milk. These ranges were taken from 11 published reports from the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, West Germany, Australia and Finland from 1965-1983. Further variances from these ranges will be found in other geographic areas, for example, where the diet is largely vegetarian or where fish or other seafoods are a major food source. The fat compositions of the invention have a fatty acid pattern reasonably similar to that of human milk. Table V Human Milk Fatty Acid Ranges Fatty Acid Ranges Reported C8 Caprylic 0.1 CIO Capric 0.8 - 1.6 C12 Lauric 3.1 - 6.3 C14 Myristic 5.1 - 7.4 C16 Palmitic 20.2 - 25.2 C18 Stearic 5.5 - 10.4 C16:l Palmitoleic 3.7 - 4.1 C18:l Oleic 29.4 - 46.9 C18:2 Linoleic 7.2 - 15.6 C18:3 Linolenic 0.7 - 2.0 Exa nle 2 The excretion data given below was obtained on young male rats according to the method described in U.S. Patent No. 3,542,560, issued on November 24, 1970, to Tomarelli et al., under "Part II" of the Example, at column 4, lines 34-73. Despite the fact that the rat absorbs fats very efficiently, marked differences in the fecal excretion of fat due to corandomization are readily demonstrated. Table Via shows the reduction in excretion of the total fatty acids and of the palmitic acid itself from a diet containing corandomized palm olein-canola oil compared to one containing the same ratio of nonrandomized palm olein and canola oils. Table Via Fat Excretion Of Mixtures Of Native Palm Olein and Canola Oils Versus That Of Corandomized Palm Olein-Canola Oil Ratio Native Corand. Native Corand. PO/Can Oils Oil Oils Oil Total Fattv Acids Palmitic Acid 75/25 10.3 ± 0.55 2.66 ± 0.15 22.9 ± 1.29 5.48 ± 0.26 65/35 5.50 ± 0.32 1.74 ± 0.27 14.3 ± 0.70 3.58 ± 0.58 55/45 4.28 ± 0.25 1.62 ± 0.10 11.1 ± 0.62 3.34 ± 0.22 all differences are statistically significant In the following Table VIb the results in respect of palmitic acid excretion from Table Via are compared with those given in EP 0488800 in respect of corandomization products of palm olein oil and coconut oil. Table Vlb Palmitic Acid Excretion Of Corandomization Products Versus That From Non-randomized Oil Blends Composition Of Ratio of Percentage Excretion of Corandomization Product Palmitic Acid From Blend of Oils To and Non-Randomized Oil Blend That From Its Corandomization Product % by weight % by weight Other Oil Palm Olein Oil Other Oil Coconut Oil Canola Oil 75 25 1.87 4.18 65 35 3.69 3.99 55 45 - 3.32 56 44 2.49 - The results given in Table Vlb show that corandomization of palm olein oil with canola oil has a greater effect on reducing the excretion of palmitic acid than corandomization of the palm olein oil with coconut oil. Example 3 Given below are three examples of the composition of a complete infant nutritional food product using a corandomized fat composition of the invention. In the examples, the preferred fat composition is used, but any corandomized palmitic acid oil-oleic acid oil fat blend of the invention may be used. ("PO" below stands for palm olein oil, "S-Oleic" stands for safflower oleic oil, and "Can." stands for Canola oil.) Example 3 - Regular Term Formulas 1A IB 1C Protein non-fat milk soy protein nonfat milk and deminer- isolate + deminer- alized whey alized whey R2 R2 R3 Fat (oils)** Coco-22% Coco.-22% Coco.-22% PO*-41% PO*-41% PO*-45% Can.*-24% Can.*-24% Can.*- 15% Soy-13% Soy-13% Soy- 18 Carbohydrate lactose sucrose lactose Constituents per liter per liter per liter Energy kcal 676 676 all Protein g 15 21 as for 1A Fat g 36 36 Carbohydrate g 72 69 Water g 904 898 Linoleic Acid mg 3300 3300 Vitamin A IU 2000 2000 Vitamin D IU 400 400 Vitamin E IU 9.5 9.5 Vitamin K meg 55 100 Thiamin (Vit Bl) meg 670 670 Riboflavin (Vit B2) meg 1000 1000 Vitamin B6 meg 420 420 Vitamin B 12 meg 1.3 2 Niacin meg 5000 5000 Folic Acid (Folacin) meg 50 50 Pantothenic Acid meg 2100 2100 Biotin meg 15 35 Vit C (Ascorbic Acid) mg 55 55 Choline mg 100 85 Inositol mg 32 27 Taurine mg 40 40 Camitine mg 37 8.5 Nucleotide monophosphates mg 29.5 Calcium mg 420 600 Phosphorus mg 280 280 Magnesium mg 45 67 Iron mg (w/wo) 12.0/1.5 11.5 Zinc mg 5 5 Manganese meg 150 150 Copper mg 470 470 Iodine meg 60 60 Sodium mg 150 200 Potassium mg 560 700 Chloride mg 375 375 * oils corandomized **see Table Ilia for fatty acid content Example 4 Given below are two examples of the composition of a complete preterm infant nutritional food product using a corandomized preterm fat composition according to the invention. In the examples, the preferred preterm fat composition is used, but any corandomized palmitic acid oil / lauric acid oil fat composition of the invention may be used. ("PO" below stands for palm olein oil, and "MCT" stands for medium-chain triglycerides.) Example 4 - Preterm Formulas 2A 2B 2C Protein non-fat milk non-fat milk Nnfat mlk and deminer- and deminer- + deminer- alized whey alized whey ized whey P3 P2 P3 Fat (oils)** MCT- 10% MCT- 10% MCT- 10% PO*-30% PO*-20% PO*-30% Can.*- 18% Can.*-24% Can.*- 18% Coco.-27% Coco.-27% Coco.-27 Soy-15% Com- 19% Soy-15% Carbohydrate lactose and lactose and lactose + glucose glucose glucose polymers polymers polymers Constituents per liter per liter per liter Energy kcal 810 810 all Protein g 20 22.0 as for 2A Fat g 44 42.1 Carbohydrate g 86 86.5 Water g 880 882 Linoleic Acid mg 4000 4050 Vitamin A IU 2400 8100 Vitamin D IU 480 2430 Vitamin E IU 15 36.5 Vitamin K meg 70 105 Thiamin (Vit Bl) mcg 800 2025 Riboflavin (Vit B2) meg 1300 2835 Vitamin B6 meg 500 2025 Vitamin B 12 meg 2 3.2 Niacin meg 6300 36450 Folic Acid (Folacin) meg 100 284 Pantothenic Acid meg 3600 12150 Biotin meg 18 16.2 Vit C (Ascorbic Acid) mg 70 284 Choline mg 127 64.8 Inositol mg 32 200 Example 4 - Preterm Formulas (continued) _____ 2B 2C Constituents per liter per liter per liter Taurine mg 48 48 Carnitine mg 49 59 Nucleotide monophosphates mg 29.5 29.5 all Calcium mg 750 1000 as for 2 A Phosphorus mg 400 600 Magnesium mg 70 81 Iron mg 3 2.4 Zinc mg 8 10.5 Manganese meg 200 105 Copper meg 700 1417.5 Iodine meg 83 81 Sodium mg 320 405 Potassium mg 750 972 Chloride mg 530 729 * oils corandomized **see Table IVa for fatty acid content

Claims: LAIMS 1. A fat composition useful for the nutrition of a human infant, the fat composition comprising (a) 16-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 20-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic acid oils selected from palm oil, and palm olein oil; (c) 13-37%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 0-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, wherein the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils, and optionally the linoleic acid oil or oils, are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-22 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 13-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 28-43 parts of oleic acid and (iv) 10-23 parts of linoleic acid. 2. A fat composition according to claim 1, containing, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 1.2-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. 3. A fat composition according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises (a) 16-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a lauric acid oil selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 30-46%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a palmitic acid oil selected from palm oil and palm olein oil; (c) 13-34%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or two oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 7-26%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a linoleic acid oil selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, wherein the palmitic acid oil and the oleic acid oil or oils are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-15 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 16-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 28-43 parts of oleic acid and (iv) 10-23 parts of linoleic acid. 4. A fat composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, containing, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 2.4-3.7 parts of α- linolenic acid. 5. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein only the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils are corandomized. 6. A fat composition according to claim 5, wherein only one palmitic acid oil and one oleic acid oil are corandomized. 7. A fat composition according to claim 6, wherein the palmitic acid oil is palm olein oil and the oleic acid oil is canola oil. 8. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one palmitic acid oil is used, which is palm olein oil. 9. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one oleic acid oil is used, which is canola oil. 10. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein only one of each kind of oil is used. 11. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein only one linoleic acid oil is used, which is com oil or soybean oil. 12. A fat composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratio is between 15 to 1 and 4 to 1. 13. A fat composition according to claim 12, wherein the linoleic acid to α- linolenic acid ratio is between 11 to 1 and 4 to 1. 14. A fat composition according to claim 1, which comprises (a) 20-25% coconut oil; (b) 39-46% palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 14-29% canola oil;and (d) 11-20% com oil or soybean oil, wherein the palm olein oil and the canola oil are corandomized, and wherein the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of total fatty acid present as triglycerides, (i) 9-14 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 18-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 33-39 parts of oleic acid; (iv) 15-19 parts of linoleic acid; and (v) 2.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. 15. A nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition, comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and a fat composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14. 16. A fat composition useful for the nutrition of a preterm infant or low birth weight infant, the fat composition comprising (a) 8-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 10-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic oils selected from palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 8-45%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 0-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-50%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium- chain triglycerides, wherein the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils, and optionally the linoleic acid oil or oils, are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-34 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-16 parts of capric acid; (iii) 5-15 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 16-39 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 9-20 parts of linoleic acid 17. A fat composition according to claim 16, which contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 1.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. 18. A fat composition according to claim 17, which comprises (a) 9-27 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a lauric acid oil selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 15-40 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a palmitic oil selected from palm oil, or palm olein oil; (c) 12-33 %, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or two oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 8-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of a linoleic acid oil selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-30%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium- chain triglycerides, wherein the palmitic acid oil and the oleic acid oil are corandomized, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-22 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-10 parts of capric acid; (iii) 9-19 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 23-36 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 13-19 parts of linoleic acid. 19. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 to 18, which contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 2.3- 3.4 parts of α-linolenic acid. 20. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 or 19, wherein only the palmitic acid oil or oils and the oleic acid oil or oils are corandomized. 21. A fat composition according to claim 20, wherein only one palmitic acid oil and one oleic acid oil are corandomized. 22. A fat composition according to claim 21, wherein the palmitic acid oil is palm olein oil and the oleic acid oil is canola oil. 23. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the palmitic acid oil is palm olein oil. 24. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 to 21 and 23, wherein one oleic acid oil is used, which is canola oil. 25. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein only one linoleic acid oil is used, which is com oil or soybean oil. 26. A fat composition according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratio is between 15 to 1 and 4 to 1. 27. A fat composition according to claim 26, wherein the linoleic acid to α- linolenic acid ratio is between 11 to 1 and 4 to 1. 28. A fat composition as claimed in claim 16, wherein the oils comprise (a) 9-27% coconut oil; (b) 16-32% palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 16-33% canola oil; (d) 9-20% com oil or soybean oil; and (e) 10-30% medium chain triglycerides, wherein the palm olein oil and the canola oil are corandomized, and wherein the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of total fatty acid present as triglycerides, (i) 8-21 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-10 parts of capric acid; (iii) 10-17 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 27-33 parts of oleic acid; (v) 14-18 parts of linoleic acid; and (vii) 2.3-3.4 parts of α-linolenic acid. 29. A nutritionally complete food product adapted for the nutrition of preterm or low birthweight human infants, which product comprises a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals and a fat composition as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 28. 30. A process for preparing a fat composition particularly useful in a nutritionally complete infant formula, said process being characterized in that the corandomization product obtainable by interesterification of one or more palmitic acid oils and one or more oleic acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils , which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (b), (c) and (d) below, until the palmitic acid of the product random triglycerides is at least 27 % in the 2-position, is admixed with one or more lauric acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils, which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (a) and (d) below, wherein the resulting fat composition comprises, (a) 16-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 20-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic acid oils selected from palm oil, and palm olein oil; (c) 13-37%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; and (d) 0-32%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 9-22 parts of lauric acid; (ii) 13-22 parts of palmitic acid; (iii) 28-43 parts of oleic acid and (iv) 10-23 parts of linoleic acid. 31. A process according to claim 30, in which the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 1.2-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. 32. A process for making a nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition, said process characterized in that a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and a fat composition made by a process as claimed in any one of claims 30 and 31 are admixed. 33. A process for preparing a fat composition particularly useful in a nutritionally complete infant formula for preterm infants, said process being characterized in that the corandomization product obtainable by interesterification of one or more palmitic acid oils and one or more oleic acid oils and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils , which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (b), (c) and (d) below, until the palmitic acid of the product random triglycerides is at least 27 % in the 2-position, is admixed with one or more lauric acid oils and medium-chain triglycerides and optionally one or more linoleic acid oils, which oils and their relative proportions are set out respectively in (a), (e) and (d) below, wherein the resulting fat composition comprises, (a) 8-27%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more lauric acid oils selected from coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil; (b) 10-49%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more palmitic oils selected from palm oil or palm olein oil; (c) 8-45%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more oleic acid oils selected from olive oil, safflower oleic oil, sunflower oleic oil, and canola oil; (d) 0-22%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of one or more linoleic acid oils selected from com oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil; and (e) 10-50%, calculated on the weight of the fat composition, of medium- chain triglycerides, the amounts of the oils being such that the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, (i) 8-34 parts of caprylic acid; (ii) 4-16 parts of capric acid; (iii) 5-15 parts of palmitic acid; (iv) 16-39 parts of oleic acid; and (v) 9-20 parts of linoleic acid. 34. A process according to claim 33, in which the fat composition contains, per 100 parts by weight of the total fatty acids present as triglycerides, 1.4-3.7 parts of α-linolenic acid. 35. A process for making a nutritionally complete food product adapted for human infant nutrition, said process characterized in that a protein source, a carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and a fat composition made by a process as claimed in any one of claims 33 and 34 are admixed.

Inventors: LIEN ERIC LOUIS, TOMARELLI RUDOLPH MICHAEL, LIEN, ERIC, LOUIS, TOMARELLI, RUDOLPH, MICHAEL
Applicants: AMERICAN HOME PROD, AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A23D9
IPC codes: A23C11, A23D9, C11C3