What ingredient has replaced milk fat in some soft serve frozen dairy products?

In some soft serve frozen dairy products, vegetable oil is commonly used as a substitute for milk fat. This substitution is typically done to reduce costs and provide a product with a similar texture and mouthfeel to traditional soft serve made with milk fat. Vegetable oils can help improve the stability and smoothness of the product while enabling manufacturers to cater to different dietary preferences or restrictions, such as lower cholesterol.

When vegetable oil is used, it allows for the creation of a product that maintains a desirable creamy consistency without the additional costs associated with dairy fat. This innovation is particularly beneficial for large-scale production where cost-effectiveness is a priority. The use of vegetable oil is a strategic choice made by manufacturers in response to consumer demands for variety and potentially lower-fat options in frozen desserts.