Extra capacity in Procter & Gamble's Ivorydale plant could be used to produce an environmental cleanup product. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

        Procter & Gamble Co. is talking to federal regulators about using an ingredient in its olestra fat substitute for environmental cleanups.

        There are no customers and no immediate commercial prospects for the ingredient. But extra capacity in P&G's Ivorydale plant, where olestra is made, could be used for that purpose, said Greg Allgood, associate director of P&G's Nutrition Science Institute.

        “We have been exploring the use of those fatty acids in commercial applications,” Mr. Allgood said.

        He speculated that the product could be used to help clean up industrial pollutants. But P&G is not close to any deals, he said.

        P&G had originally projected annual sales of $1 billion for olestra, which it introduced in 1998, because of increased health consciousness among consumers. But results have fallen far short of those expectations, in part because of accusations — denied by P&G — that olestra causes digestive problems.

        Olestra, unveiled by P&G in 1998, is sold under the brand name Olean. It is used in products including P&G's Fat Free Pringles and Wow! chips made by Frito-Lay.

        Mr. Allgood said P&G continues to press the FDA to change the warning label on products using Olean.

        All products using Olean now carry labels that warn of “potential abdominal cramping and loose stools” from the fat substitute.

        “Everybody who's looked at the science has said this label is not justified,” Mr. Allgood said.

Comair enlists business backing
P&G sees industrial uses for ingredient in olestra
Coca-Cola plant marks 100 years
Losses go across the boards
Goodyear replacing Ford tires
Energy traders missing some fizz
Questions hindered convention funding bid
Alcatel chief open to U.S. deals
Lucent's government work might snag foreign merger
Business Digest
Morning Memo
Tristate Summary
What's the Buzz?