Why Epogee’s “Fake Fat” Is Raising Eyebrows
As a contract manufacturer, we take a hard look at what goes into the products we help bring to market—and not every new “breakthrough” ingredient makes the cut.
At first glance, Epogee (also known as esterified propoxylated glycerol or EPG) looks like a dream ingredient: a fat replacement that mimics the creamy mouthfeel of real fat, but with just a fraction of the calories. Sounds like a win, right?
Not so fast.
Epogee is engineered to bypass your body’s digestive system—literally. Because it’s chemically altered to resist absorption, the fat simply passes through. While this results in lower calorie counts, it raises red flags for us and many of the brands we work with.
A New “Franken-Fat”?
The concerns echo those of past fat substitutes like Olestra. Although Epogee may not cause the same level of digestive distress, early feedback from consumers points to mild but noticeable side effects—especially when consumed in larger quantities. Users have taken to social media with descriptions that are, let’s just say, less than appetizing.
From a product development standpoint, ingredients like EPG also complicate clean-label claims. It’s derived through a multi-step chemical process involving propylene oxide, and despite being marketed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), it doesn’t align with the growing consumer demand for simple, natural, and minimally processed ingredients.
Legal Drama and Industry Tension
Epogee’s recent acquisition by the parent company of David Protein Bars has sparked additional controversy. Competing brands are now embroiled in lawsuits, claiming they were blocked from accessing the ingredient after contributing to its development. The optics? Not great. Especially in an industry that values innovation through collaboration—not exclusivity.
Our Take as a Contract Manufacturer
At YouBar, we specialize in custom formulations for forward-thinking nutrition brands. We stay on top of ingredient trends, but we also vet each innovation through the lens of long-term brand trust and consumer wellness.
Epogee may cut fat calories, but it also cuts corners on transparency and digestion. For brands building loyalty around clean labels, gut-friendly ingredients, and whole food integrity, there are better ways to craft delicious, satisfying snacks without the risk of alienating your audience—or their stomachs.
Bottom line: Epogee is the latest in a long line of lab-made shortcuts. But in a market where consumers are getting smarter, “fake fat” might just be too big a risk to take.