Eastman's Tenox Antioxidants Ensure Food Quality

Las Vegas, NV - Eastman Chemical Company is highlighting its comprehensive line of synthetic food-grade Tenox antioxidants at the IFT Food Expo 2004, Las Vegas, July 12-16. Antioxidants control the oxidation of fats and oils in fresh and processed foods, inhibiting rancidity and ensuring the freshness and nutritive value of foods. Tenox antioxidants help to stabilize an array of refined vegetable oils, frying oils and animal fats, making them the ideal antioxidant for snack foods and confections, raw and pre-cooked meats, and meat products.

"For over 50 years, Eastman's Tenox antioxidants have had an established record of safe, effective use," says Robin Minga, food, nutrition and cosmetics technical lab manager. "By safely extending the shelf life of foods, Tenox antioxidants minimize product loss for brand-owners and retailers, and ensure products reach consumers in the best possible condition."

Tenox antioxidants exhibit good "carry through" properties. They can handle the high heat of baking and frying, allowing cooking oils formulated with Tenox products to carry that stability through to the finished product. "Potato chips are the perfect example," adds Minga. "Laboratory tests at Eastman show that when cooked in vegetable oils formulated with the appropriate levels of our antioxidants, the chips have an extended, more reliable shelf life."

Tenox antioxidants carry these important benefits into packaged meats and meat products, including beef, poultry and pork. Animal fats, particularly rendered animal fats, are susceptible to oxidative deterioration and rancidity. Tenox antioxidants can benefit foods with these edible animal fats, by improving fat stability during shipping and storing, providing "carry through" protection for increased shelf life.

Tenox antioxidants are kosher, easy to handle and incorporate into foods. They are available in a range of formulations, which can be combined and tailored for specific requirements. Due to their unique purity, Eastman's antioxidants are effective at very low concentrations, and do not affect food taste or smell.

About Eastman
Headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., U.S.A., Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. The company has approximately 15,000 employees in more than 30 countries and had 2003 sales of US$5.8 billion. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.

For more information about Eastman's products and services, please contact Peter Eschbach, Global Media Relations Manager, Eastman Chemical Company, tel: 423-229-6636, email: peschbach@eastman.com, or visit www.eastman.com.

Source: Eastman Chemical Company