Vegetable Fat
Also known as: vegetal fat, vegetable fats, vegetable shortening
"Vegetable fat" is a generic descriptor that hides composition. It could be palm oil (deforestation, high saturated fat), coconut oil, partially hydrogenated oil (banned in US since 2018 but the term "vegetable fat" was historically used to mask PHO), or fully hydrogenated/interesterified fat.
What it is
Generic umbrella term for any solid or semi-solid fat of plant origin, without specifying source (could be palm, coconut, hydrogenated soybean, etc.).
Fat source; texture, mouthfeel, frying medium.
Why it's flagged
- May be high-saturated-fat tropical oil (palm, coconut)
What regulators actually say
"Refined oils of vegetable origin... shall be designated by the name 'vegetable oils' followed by either the indication of the specific vegetable origin... or by the indication 'in variable proportions'."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Components individually GRAS; PHO banned since 2018
European Union — EFSA
Specific source disclosure required under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011
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