With Peanut Oil Cottonseed Oil

Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the cotton plant. After the cotton fibers are removed, the seeds are cleaned, crushed, and the oil is extracted. It is then refined, bleached, and deodorized before use.

Cottonseed oil is used as a cooking oil and as an ingredient in processed foods. Its neutral flavor and relatively high smoke point make it suitable for frying. It is often found in baked goods, salad dressings, and snack foods like popcorn.

Cottonseed oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It contains saturated and unsaturated fats, including linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Some older research raised concerns about gossypol, a natural toxin in raw cottonseed, but refining processes remove this. JECFA has evaluated cottonseed oil and set an acceptable daily intake. Evidence on its health effects at typical consumption levels is mixed, with some studies suggesting potential benefits from unsaturated fats and others noting concerns about saturated fat content.