Palm And Kernel

Palm oil and palm kernel oil are vegetable fats derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Palm oil is extracted from the fleshy part of the fruit, while palm kernel oil comes from the kernel (seed) of the same fruit.

These oils are widely used in the food industry for their functional properties, such as providing texture, mouthfeel, and stability. They are common in baked goods, confectionery, snack foods, and margarine due to their semi-solid consistency at room temperature.

Palm oil and palm kernel oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in foods. Both oils are high in saturated fats. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025-2030) recommend that saturated fat intake should be less than 10% of daily calories. JECFA has evaluated fats and oils, and these contribute to overall dietary fat intake.