Ricinus Communis
Refined castor oil from Ricinus communis is FDA-approved for limited food uses and as a pharmaceutical excipient. The plant's seeds contain ricin, an extremely toxic protein that is removed during oil refining.
What it is
The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis); seeds yield castor oil, which is processed to remove the toxic protein ricin. Castor oil and its derivatives are used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and limited food applications.
Castor oil is permitted in food only in specific limited uses (e.g., release agent, candy mold release) per FDA. Hydrogenated castor oil and derivatives are used as plasticizers and surfactants.
Why it's flagged
- raw seeds contain ricin (highly toxic)
- laxative effects at higher doses
What regulators actually say
"Castor oil may be safely used in food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions... as a release agent and antisticking agent in hard candy production."
"Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans... If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Castor oil approved for specific food uses under 21 CFR 172.876.
European Union — EFSA
Permitted in EU as excipient and limited food uses; ricin classified as biological toxin.
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app