Two groups of 8 fatteners each were fed semi ad libitum from 22 kg till slaughter at 102 kg, and two on a restricted level (-25%) from 22 to 60 kg and semi ad libitum to 102 kg. Within each feeding level, one group was given a diet supplemented with 0 and one with 4% linseed oil (LO), fed from 60 to 102 kg. The backfat of pigs fed on diets with LO contained less SFA and MUFA, and more PUFA, of both series n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. Fat quality was then evaluated in an experiment on growing rats fed for 35 days on diets containing 20% fat from pork of each group. Serum triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels were lower in rats fed on pork fat from LO-supplemented groups. Restricted feeding of pigs slightly improved the fatty acid profile of backfat and, ultimately, the indices of lipid metabolism in rats.