Editing Α-Linolenic acid (section)

===Stability and hydrogenation===
Compared to many other oils, α-linolenic acid is more susceptible to oxidation. It [[rancidification|becomes rancid]] more quickly in air. [[Rancidification|Oxidative instability]] of α-linolenic acid is one reason why producers choose to partially [[Hydrogenation|hydrogenate]] oils containing α-linolenic acid, such as [[soybean oil]].<ref name= Kinney >{{cite web
 |author=Kinney, Tony 
 |title=Metabolism in plants to produce healthier food oils (slide #4) 
 |url=http://www.metabolicengineering.gov/me2005/Kinney.pdf 
 |access-date=2007-01-11 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929134832/http://www.metabolicengineering.gov/me2005/Kinney.pdf 
 |archive-date=29 September 2006 
}}</ref> [[Soybean]]s are the largest source of edible oils in the U.S., and, as of a 2007 study, 40% of soy oil production was partially hydrogenated.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=6669 |title=Ban on trans fat could benefit Iowa |journal=Truth About Trade and Technology |access-date=2007-01-03 |author1=Fitzgerald, Anne  |author2=Brasher, Philip |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012419/http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=6669 |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> 

Hydrogenation of ALA-containing fats can introduce [[trans fat]]s. Consumers are increasingly avoiding products that contain trans fats, and governments have begun to ban trans fats in food products, including the US government as of May 2018.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Program |first=Human Foods |date=2024-09-06 |title=Trans Fat |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/trans-fat |journal=FDA |language=en}}</ref> These regulations and market pressures have spurred the development of soybeans low in α-linolenic acid. These new soybean varieties yield a more stable oil that often do not require hydrogenation for many applications.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/media/06/01-12-06.asp
 |author      = Monsanto
 |title       = ADM to process Monsanto's Vistive low linolenic soybeans at Indiana facility
 |access-date  = 2007-01-06
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061211071206/http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/media/06/01-12-06.asp
 |archive-date = 11 December 2006
 |url-status   = dead}}</ref>