AbstractSamples of table margarines, so‐called polyunsaturated table margarines, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and so‐called polyunsaturated hydrogenated vegetable oils were shown by infrared spectroscopy to contain hydrogenated components. Examination of the sterols from these oils by argentation thin layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography did not reveal campestanol, stigmastanol, or Δ22‐stigmastenol, the expected hydrogenation products of the natural sterols. The sterol compositions of the above samples, animal fats, and blends of hydrogenated vegetable oils and animal fats were determined. The compound 24‐methyl cholest‐7‐en‐3β‐ol was identified tentatively in sunflower and safflower oils.