44 5 ] ADULTERATION AND OLEOMARGARINE 2 2I 



garine department or be allowed to harden for shipment to 

 points where manufacturers of oleomargarine do not pre- 

 pare their own oleo oil. 



Neutral lard is the deodorized fat of the hog. There are 

 two principal grades of neutral lard. The best grade is 

 made from the leaf fat which is the fat taken from the side 

 of the hog. This is of much better quality because it has 

 less of the lard flavor and can be more completely neutral- 

 ized than the fat from the back part of the hog. The sec- 

 ond grade of neutral lard is made from the back fat. Lard 

 is neutralized by the packers or is bought from them and is 

 neutralized by near-by manufacturers, who prefer to deo- 

 dorize or neutralize their own fat. The neutralization of 

 lard is simpler than the process of making oleo oil. At the 

 packing houses, immediately after the killing of the animal 

 the leaf fat is removed and hung up in the refrigerating 

 room to rid it of the animal heat as soon as possible. It is 

 then rendered at a low temperature and allowed to settle. 

 Salt is added as in the case of the settling process of the 

 beef oil. The clear oil is siphoned to another vessel for 

 further settling. In a more extended treatment the temper- 

 ature is controlled until settling has been repeated a number 

 of times. After sufficient settling has taken place the neu- 

 tral lard is ready for use. 



Cottonseed oil is used in the cheaper grades of oleomar- 

 garine. It is not used in the better grades because it cannot 

 be neutralized and because its use is betrayed by its char- 

 acteristic flavor in oleomargarine. It must also be used in 

 limited quantities, because its melting point is low. Too 

 large quantities make the product softer than butter. The 

 amount of cottonseed oil can be increased if more stearin 

 is added to harden the mixture. Glycerine is added some- 

 times to give a glossy appearance; and sugar or glucose is 

 added sometimes to sweeten it or to give the desired texture. 



