Cottonseed
Also known as: cotton seed
Cottonseed oil is FDA GRAS after refining. Crude/unrefined cottonseed contains gossypol, a toxic polyphenol that must be removed during processing; refined products contain negligible amounts.
What it is
Seed of Gossypium spp. cotton plants; processed into oil, meal, and refined protein.
Source of cottonseed oil for frying and baking; defatted meal mostly used for animal feed; some refined protein in human food.
Why it's flagged
- gossypol toxicity in unrefined product
- high omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- potential pesticide residues from cotton (non-food crop with permissive spray regimes)
What regulators actually say
"Modified cottonseed products may be safely used as food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions... Total gossypol content shall not be greater than 0.045 percent."
"Cottonseed oil... is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS for refined cottonseed oil and protein products under 21 CFR 184.1555 / 172.894.
European Union — EFSA
Permitted refined cottonseed oil; gossypol limits enforced.
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