Shorea Robusta Seed Oil
Also known as: Shorea robusta oil, Sal tree oil, Sal oil
Sal seed fat is one of the six vegetable fats permitted by EU Directive 2000/36/EC as a cocoa butter equivalent in chocolate up to 5% of the product. It is a saturated/monounsaturated triglyceride with a long history of food use in South Asia and an acceptable safety profile.
What it is
Oil expressed from the seed of the sal tree (Shorea robusta); also known as sal seed oil or sal butter, with a fatty acid profile similar to cocoa butter.
Cocoa butter alternative/equivalent; used as a vegetable fat in confectionery in some regions.
Why it's flagged
- High saturated fat content
What regulators actually say
"Annex II of Directive 2000/36/EC lists vegetable fats other than cocoa butter that may be used in the manufacture of chocolate products: illipe, palm oil, sal, shea, kokum gurgi and mango kernel oil, in quantities up to 5% of the finished product."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Not GRAS in US; chocolate standards do not permit cocoa butter alternatives
European Union — EFSA
Authorized as cocoa butter equivalent in chocolate up to 5% under Directive 2000/36/EC
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