Sunflower

Sunflower refers to the plant *Helianthus annuus*, its seeds, or the oil extracted from its seeds. Sunflower seeds are harvested from the large flower heads, and the oil is obtained by pressing these seeds.

Sunflower seeds are a popular snack and can be added to baked goods or salads. Sunflower oil is widely used in food manufacturing as a cooking oil, in dressings, and as an ingredient in many processed foods due to its mild flavor and stability.

Sunflower seeds and sunflower oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for their intended uses. They are a source of healthy fats, particularly unsaturated fats, and vitamin E. JECFA has evaluated sunflower oil and did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified), concluding that it is not appropriate to set one. There are no notable controversies regarding the safety of sunflower products at typical consumption levels.