Palm Oil And Palm Fraction

Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is extracted from both the flesh of the fruit (palm oil) and the kernel (palm kernel oil). It is a solid at room temperature due to its saturated fat content.

Palm oil is used in a wide variety of processed foods because it is versatile and inexpensive. It acts as a shortening, giving baked goods a tender texture, and as an emulsifier, helping to blend ingredients like oil and water. It is commonly found in baked goods, chocolate, ice cream, and processed snacks.

Palm oil is primarily composed of saturated and unsaturated fats. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not set specific regulations for palm oil consumption beyond its general use as a food ingredient. Some studies suggest that high intake of saturated fats, like those found in palm oil, may be linked to increased LDL cholesterol levels, while others indicate that the specific fatty acid profile of palm oil may have a more neutral effect. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting saturated fat intake.