Palm Oil And Shea Oil

Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Shea oil is a fat extracted from the shea nut, which comes from the shea tree. Both are commonly used as cooking oils and in processed foods.

Palm and shea oils are used in a wide variety of foods for their texture and stability. They can act as emulsifiers, helping to blend ingredients like oil and water, and contribute to the creamy texture and mouthfeel of products like cookies, crackers, and snack bars.

Palm oil and shea oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. They are primarily composed of saturated and unsaturated fats. JECFA has evaluated palm oil and set an acceptable daily intake. While some research has explored the health effects of saturated fats, typical consumption levels in a balanced diet are not associated with adverse health outcomes according to major health organizations. Concerns about the environmental impact of palm oil production are also widely discussed.