Palm Oil Sheanut Oil

Palm oil is a vegetable oil made from the fruit of oil palms. Sheanut oil, also known as shea butter, is derived from the nut of the African shea tree. Both are solid at room temperature and are extracted through pressing or solvent extraction.

These oils are used as cooking oils and as ingredients in baked goods, confectionery, and processed foods. They provide richness, texture, and stability to products like candies and caramels.

Palm oil and sheanut oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. They are primarily fats, and like all fats, should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated fats and oils, but specific evaluations for these individual oils may vary. Concerns sometimes arise regarding the saturated fat content of palm oil, which is higher than many other vegetable oils.