Sal Tree
Also known as: shorea robusta, sal
Sal fat is a permitted vegetable fat used as a cocoa butter equivalent in the EU under Directive 2000/36/EC, which limits CBE content to 5% in chocolate. Composed mainly of stearic and oleic acids.
What it is
Shorea robusta, a tree native to South Asia. Sal seeds yield sal butter (sal fat), a vegetable fat used in confectionery and as a cocoa butter equivalent.
Sal fat used as cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) in chocolate and confectionery in some markets.
What regulators actually say
"Vegetable fats other than cocoa butter may be added to chocolate products in quantities not exceeding 5%... including sal (Shorea robusta)."
"Sal fat (Shorea robusta) is among the cocoa butter equivalents authorized for use in chocolate products."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Sal fat permitted in chocolate as cocoa butter equivalent under FDA permissions
European Union — EFSA
Permitted as cocoa butter equivalent in chocolate under Directive 2000/36/EC
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