Cottonseed Oil Palm Oil

Cottonseed oil is extracted from the seeds of cotton plants. Palm oil comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. Both are refined vegetable oils used widely in food manufacturing.

These oils are used for their neutral flavor, texture, and shelf stability. They are common in processed foods like chips, baked goods, and frozen appetizers, acting as cooking oils or ingredients.

Cottonseed oil and palm oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Both are sources of fat, with palm oil being high in saturated fat. JECFA has evaluated both oils. Research on the health effects of dietary fats, including saturated fats, is ongoing and sometimes yields mixed results.