Refined Palm Oil | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Refined palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (fruit pulp) of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), processed through refining, bleaching, and deodorizing (RBD) at high temperatures (approximately 200°C). It is widely used in food manufacturing as a cooking and frying medium and as a functional fat in baked goods, confectionery, margarines, and processed foods due to its semi-solid consistency, high oxidative stability, and absence of trans fats.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

High-temperature refining of palm oil generates process contaminants — glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE), 3-MCPD esters, and 2-MCPD esters — which are respectively genotoxic/carcinogenic and nephrotoxic; EFSA has identified these as health concerns for average consumers across all young age groups and high consumers in all age groups. Infants consuming palm-oil-based infant formula face GE exposure up to ten times what would be considered of low concern for public health. Palm oil is also approximately 50% saturated fat, with excess consumption linked to elevated LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Restricted	Palm oil is permitted as a food ingredient but subject to regulatory maximum limits on process contaminants under EC Regulation 1881/2006 (as amended). EFSA CONTAM Panel (2016) found the highest levels of GE and 3-/2-MCPD esters in palm oils and palm fats. GE are classified as genotoxic and carcinogenic. The European Commission set a 3-MCPD ester maximum of 2.5 ppm for vegetable oils (other than the named lower-limit oils) and a TDI of 0.8 µg/kg bw/day for 3-MCPD (updated 2018). Use in infant formula is subject to stricter separate controls. Voluntary industry measures halved GE levels in palm oils between 2010 and 2015.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Refined palm oil is approved for human consumption under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, as amended by the Fourteenth Amendment Regulations, 2017. Palm oil imported into India or obtained by solvent extraction must be refined before sale for human consumption and must conform to the standards under regulation 2.2.1(16). Residual hexane in the refined oil must not exceed 5.00 ppm. The oil must test negative for argemone oil adulteration.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Palm oil is listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1259 (cocoa butter substitute from palm oil) for use in confections and frostings, coatings of soft candy, and sweet sauces and toppings at GMP levels. Broader use of palm oil as a general food ingredient is considered GRAS based on common use prior to 1958. No specific maximum limits have been set by FDA for GE or MCPD contaminants in palm oil.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — EFSA determined that GE exposure from palm-oil-based infant formula is a particular concern, with infants exposed to up to ten times what would be considered of low concern for public health, making palm-oil-containing infant formulas a specific regulatory focus.

Children — Both EFSA and JECFA concluded that younger age groups are most exposed to genotoxic/carcinogenic GE and nephrotoxic 3-MCPD contaminants generated during palm oil refining, due to their lower body weight and higher relative food intake.

Heart Disease — Palm oil is approximately 50% saturated fatty acids (predominantly palmitic acid), and high consumption is associated with elevated LDL cholesterol and increased cardiovascular disease risk, making it a concern for those with pre-existing heart disease.

Pregnancy — Process contaminants (GE, 3-MCPD) in refined palm oil are genotoxic and carcinogenic; precautionary limitation of exposure is advised for pregnant women to minimize potential fetal risk, consistent with EFSA's general public health guidance.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Food Additive Status List — Palm Oil (21 CFR 184.1259). fda.gov
2PubMed. A summary of 2-, 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl ester occurrence during frying and baking processes, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Palm Oil on the Edge, 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4EFSA. Revised safe intake for 3-MCPD in vegetable oils and food (Update of the risk assessment on 3-monochloropropane diol and its fatty acid esters), 2018. efsa.europa.eu
5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Fourteenth Amendment Regulations, 2017 — Gazette Notification: Oils and Fats, 2017. fssai.gov.in
6EFSA. Scientific opinion on risks for human health related to the presence of 3- and 2-monochloropropanediol (MCPD), and their fatty acid esters, and glycidyl fatty acid esters in food, 2016.

Independently researched6 citations