Processes for producing conjugated linoleic acid are described which comprise: (a) isomerizing a linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an alkali metal alcoholate to form a conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester; (b) saponifying the conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an aqueous lye to form a saponification product; and (c) neutralizing the saponification product with phosphoric acid.