Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:53:57 +0000

Palm Oil Exposed: It’s Not the Seed Oil You Thought For decades, palm oil has quietly powered global food production, cosmetics, and countless consumer products—yet behind its widespread use lies a controversial story often left unspoken. Contrary to what many assume, palm oil is technically not a seed oil in the traditional sense and carries complex environmental, health, and ethical implications you should understand. ### The Truth About Palm Oil: More Than Just a Seed Oil Contrary to common belief, palm oil doesn’t come from the seeds of a familiar winter fruit like a seed oil derived from sunflower or soybean. Instead, it’s extracted from the fleshy fruit of the Elaeis guineensis palm tree—a source far more concentrated and prodigious than most realize. The pulp from these fruits is processed to yield two main products: palm ketone (often called palm “seed” oil in trade), palm palm oil, and palm kernel oil (from the stone inside the fruit).