Palm Kernel And Palm Oil With TBHQ For Freshness

Palm kernel oil is a vegetable fat extracted from the kernel (seed) of the oil palm tree, while palm oil comes from the fruit of the same tree. TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic antioxidant. This ingredient is a blend of these oils with TBHQ added for preservation.

Palm kernel oil and palm oil are used as fats in many processed foods, providing texture, mouthfeel, and stability. TBHQ is added to these oils to prevent them from spoiling (going rancid) by slowing down the oxidation process, thereby extending the product's shelf life. This blend is often found in baked goods like cookies, biscuits, and snack bars.

Palm kernel oil and palm oil are high in saturated fat; the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming less than 10% of daily calories from saturated fat. Both oils are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. TBHQ is an FDA-approved direct food additive, and JECFA has evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. While some studies have raised questions about TBHQ, major regulatory bodies consider it safe at approved levels, and the evidence regarding adverse effects at typical intake levels is mixed.