1. Plural of olestra; a synthetic fat substitute used in food products that provides the taste and texture of fat but is not absorbed by the body.
Usage: trademark (Olestra); commonly used in snack foods; may cause digestive side effects in some consumers

Examples

• Some potato chips are made with olestras to reduce fat content.
• The FDA approved olestras as a food additive in the 1990s.
• Products containing olestras must carry a warning label about potential digestive effects.
• Olestras allow manufacturers to create lower-fat versions of traditionally fatty snacks.
• Consumers have mixed opinions about foods made with olestras.