Palm Olein
Also known as: palmolein, palmolein oil
Palm olein is a whole-food-derived oil but raises significant health and safety concerns. Refined palm oils (including palm olein) generate glycidyl esters (genotoxic carcinogens) and 3-MCPD esters during high-temperature deodorization; EFSA in 2016 identified these as a public health concern, leading to EU maximum levels.
What it is
Liquid fraction of palm oil obtained by fractionation; predominantly oleic acid–rich triglycerides.
Cooking and frying oil, infant formula fat blend, baking shortening.
Why it's flagged
- glycidyl esters (genotoxic carcinogen)
- 3-MCPD esters
- saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol
What regulators actually say
"Glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE), 3- and 2-monochloropropanediol (MCPD) esters and free MCPD: EFSA concluded that GE are genotoxic and carcinogenic; exposure of consumers, particularly young, raises a health concern."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Permitted vegetable oil; FDA monitoring 3-MCPD in refined oils.
European Union — EFSA
EFSA Journal 2016 concern identified; EU Reg. 2020/1322 sets max levels for 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters.
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