What is Palm oil?
Also known as: Palm Oil, Palm yağı, Bitkisel yağ (palm)
Short answer
Palm oil is a cheap vegetable oil used in chocolate, creamy products and many snacks. It is high in saturated fat (moderation advised for heart health), and high-heat refining can form unwanted compounds like 3-MCPD/glycidyl esters. It also carries an environmental debate due to deforestation.
What is Palm oil and what does it do?
Palm oil is a vegetable oil from the fruit of the palm tree; being semi-solid at room temperature it provides cheap texture. On labels it often appears just as 'vegetable oil (palm)'; it is very common in biscuits, chocolate spread, margarine and packaged snacks.
What is it for?
It is cheap, gives long shelf life and a creamy texture, and tolerates high heat. Makers prefer it because it gives a solid texture without needing trans fat; that is its technical function in the product, not a benefit for you.
What to watch for
It is high in saturated fat; excessive saturated fat intake is linked to cardiovascular risk, so moderation is advised. Also, during high-heat refining palm oil can form compounds like 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters, which EFSA has assessed for health. It is not a 'banned' ingredient; the issue is amount and frequency.
If you want to avoid it
Consuming palm-oil chocolate, spreads and snacks occasionally rather than as a daily habit is the most realistic approach. If you want to avoid 'palm' on the label, you can choose products made with liquid oils like olive/sunflower or 'palm-free' alternatives.
Products containing Palm oil
- Nestle Lion Brownie Style 40 GNestlee
- Ülker Kat Kat Tat Baklava 28 GÜlkere
- Eti Burçak Yulaflı Bisküvi 3 x 155 GEtid
- Milka Choco Grain 126 GMilkae
- Eti Cin Portakallı 25 GEtie
- Ülker Coco Star Atıştırmalık 154 GÜlkere
- Nestle 1927 Yoğun Bitter Çikolata Kaplı Gofret 28 GNestlec
- Torku Gala Karamelli Kek 50 GTorkud
- Ülker Dankek Lokmalık Kakaolu Kek 160 GDankeke
- M&M's Minis Cookies With Chocolate 180 GM&M'se
- Ülker Dankek Mousse İpeksi Çikolata Kremalı Baton Kek 45 GDankeke
- Ülker Çokonat Sütlü Maxi Gofret 45 GÜlkere
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Frequently asked
Is palm oil harmful?
It is not banned itself, but it is high in saturated fat and can form unwanted compounds during refining; moderation is advised.
What is 3-MCPD?
It is an unwanted compound that can form when vegetable oils are refined at high heat, for which EFSA has set a daily intake limit.
Why is it in so many products?
It is cheap, durable and gives a solid texture without trans fat, so makers prefer it; that is why it is so common.
Sources
This page is for general information; it is not medical/dietary advice. Personal suitability varies by skin type, allergies and health status.