Prevention of MCPDE formation in triacylglyceride oils

A method for preventing or reducing the formation of monochloropropanediols (MCPDs) or monochloropropanediol esters (MCPDEs) during a heat treatment of a starting triacylglyceride oil into a heat treated triacylglyceride oil, wherein the starting triglyceride oil is a plant oil which is at least partially solvent extracted, the method comprising:

• (a) concentrating insoluble components in the starting triacylglyceride oil to form a purified triacylglyceride oil, by a process selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) applying a centrifugational force on the starting triacylglyceride oil while maintaining the starting triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature, and then allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force while maintaining the starting triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature;
• and
• (ii) allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force while maintaining the starting triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature, and then applying additional centrifugational force on the starting triacylglyceride oil while maintaining the starting triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature;
• (b) separating the purified triacylglyceride oil from the insoluble components;
• and
• (c) applying the heat treatment to the purified triacylglyceride oil to form the heat treated triacylglyceride oil,
• wherein the formation of the MCPDs or MCPDEs in the heat treated triacylglyceride oil is prevented or reduced as compared to a level that would be formed by the heat treatment of the starting triacylglyceride oil with the insoluble components still present therein.