Palm Or Palm Kernel Oil
Also known as: palm oil or palm kernel oil, palm or palm kernel
Palm and palm kernel oils are high in saturated fatty acids; Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to <10% of calories. IARC has classified some processing-related contaminants (3-MCPD esters, glycidyl esters) found in refined palm oil, but the oils themselves remain permitted in food.
What it is
Palm oil is extracted from oil palm fruit mesocarp; palm kernel oil from the seed kernel. Both are saturated tropical fats.
Frying fat, shortening, ingredient in baked goods, confectionery, margarines.
Why it's flagged
- High saturated fat
- Refined palm oil can contain glycidyl esters and 3-MCPD; EFSA set TDIs
What regulators actually say
"Glycidyl fatty acid esters... are genotoxic and carcinogenic substances; the highest levels were found in palm oils and palm fats."
"Limit saturated fat to less than 10 percent of calories per day."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS food fat
European Union — EFSA
EFSA established TDI for 3-MCPD (2 µg/kg bw) and tolerable monthly intake-style assessment for glycidol
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