Palm And Sheanut

Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palms. Sheanut butter comes from the nut of the African shea tree. Both are tropical oils that are solid at room temperature but can be processed to be liquid.

These fats are used in many foods for their texture and stability. They help create a smooth mouthfeel in chocolate and candy, and prevent separation in baked goods and spreads.

Palm oil and sheanut butter are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used in food. They are sources of saturated and unsaturated fats. JECFA has evaluated palm oil and set an acceptable daily intake. Evidence on the health effects of saturated fats is mixed, with some studies linking high intake to increased risk of heart disease, while others suggest the effect is less clear depending on the food source.