The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today announced Omega-9 Oils as its first Breakthrough to World Challenges, addressing one of the Company’s 2015 Sustainability Goals in the area of health. Since 2005, the use of Omega-9 Oils has eliminated more than one billion pounds of trans and saturated fat from the North American diet. Trans and saturated fat in a diet have shown to increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.  As part of its 2015 Goals, Dow committed to achieving at least three breakthroughs that will significantly help solve world challenges in the areas of energy and climate change, water, food, housing and health.

“Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required food labeling of trans fats since 2006, many processed foods still contain unhealthy levels of trans fats and high levels of saturated fat,” said Neil Hawkins, vice president of Sustainability and EH&S for Dow. “Omega-9 Oils, developed by Dow AgroSciences, are a critical step in addressing world health problems related to nutrition and lifestyle – and another example of Dow innovation pointed squarely at the most pressing issues of our time.”  

Omega-9 Oils have zero trans fat and the lowest amount of saturated fat among commonly used cooking oils, including corn, cottonseed, palm, peanut and soybean. Derived from Dow subsidiary Dow AgroSciences’ NEXERA™ canola and sunflower seeds, Omega-9 Oils are used by the food processing and food service industries.

Omega-9 Oils are used widely throughout North America and increasingly in Asia, Europe and Latin America. More than 100 leading restaurant chains and packaged food companies currently use Omega-9 Oils.  

In order to be designated as a Breakthrough to World Challenges, Omega-9 Oils passed a rigorous, transparent evaluation by Dow scientists and external stakeholders. Omega-9 Oils, like other candidates in Dow’s R&D pipeline, were evaluated for positive impact on millions of human lives, as well as minimal environmental impact from development through manufacturing, distribution, use and end-life. 

Canola production uses equal or less energy and inputs than other oil crops. Canola can promote productive soils and sustainable production practices when grown in a proper crop rotation with sound integrated pest management strategies.

Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals focus the Company’s efforts on strengthening relationships within communities, continuing to improve product stewardship, innovating to solve world challenges and reducing its global footprint.

For more information on Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, and to read the whitepaper on Omega-9 Oils as a Breakthrough to World Challenges, please visit www.dow.com/sustainability.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.