Additive guides · Product label guide
What are seed oils? The full list, how they are made and where they hide.
Updated
Seed oils are cooking oils pressed from crop seeds: canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed and rice bran. The full list with label names, how they are made, foods and restaurant items in our catalog that list them, and how to add them to your avoid list.
Quick answer
Seed oils are cooking oils extracted from the seeds of crop plants: canola (rapeseed), soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed and rice bran oil. An ingredient listed only as “vegetable oil” in the US is usually soybean oil or a blend of these. Olive, avocado and coconut oil come from fruit, not seeds. Whether seed oils are harmful is debated; this page is about spotting them on a label.
- On this site
- 8 oils plus “vegetable oil”
- Not seed oils
- Olive, avocado, coconut, butter, tallow
- Debated
- Peanut, sesame
- Reviewed
- Oct 19, 2026
Your avoid list
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01 · A closer look
The full list of seed oils.
These are the oils this checker counts as seed oils, with the names they use on ingredient lists. Peanut and sesame are sometimes added to the list in popular usage; we do not count them, so read the label if you avoid them too.
| Oil | Label names | Crop part | Often found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canola | Canola oil, rapeseed oil | Rapeseed | Chips, dressings, bread, frozen meals |
| Soybean | Soybean oil, soy oil, vegetable oil | Soybean | Mayonnaise, crackers, fried foods |
| Sunflower | Sunflower oil, high-oleic sunflower oil | Sunflower seed | Chips, granola, nut butters |
| Safflower | Safflower oil | Safflower seed | Dressings, chips |
| Corn | Corn oil | Corn germ | Frying, margarine, tortilla chips |
| Cottonseed | Cottonseed oil | Cotton seed | Fried snacks, shortening |
| Grapeseed | Grapeseed oil | Grape seed | Dressings, sprays |
| Rice bran | Rice bran oil | Rice bran | Fried snacks, rice crackers |
| Generic | Vegetable oil, vegetable oils | Usually soybean | Almost anything fried or baked |
02 · A closer look
How seed oils are made.
Commodity seed oils are commonly made by crushing or flaking the seeds, extracting oil with a solvent such as hexane, then refining, bleaching and deodorizing it into a neutral, inexpensive cooking oil. Cold-pressed and expeller-pressed versions skip the solvent. Seed oils are polyunsaturated: they are comparatively rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat that the American Heart Association advisory discusses as a replacement for saturated fat.
Sacks et al., Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: AHA Presidential Advisory, Circulation (2017)03 · A closer look
Is vegetable oil a seed oil?
In practice, yes. A US label that says only “vegetable oil” most often means soybean oil or a soybean, canola, corn and sunflower blend, which is why the checker counts it. Phrases such as “canola and/or sunflower oil” mean the maker may switch oils between batches.
04 · A closer look
Which foods list seed oils?
Seed oils are in many packaged foods and most deep-fried restaurant foods. They are most common in chips, crackers, dressings, sauces, frozen meals and baked goods; the seed oils additive guide shows live counts from current catalog labels. Plain meat, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables and rice contain none unless cooked or coated in them. The products below list a seed oil on their recorded label, one or two per shelf; open any product for the full ingredient statement and its verification date.
05 · A closer look
Restaurant items.
Fryers often use a canola, soybean or corn blend. Our restaurant records come from each chain’s published ingredient information, and unverified menu items are never marked clean. The checks that exist today are on the Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and Starbucks pages linked below; confirm with the restaurant, since oils change by location and over time.
06 · A closer look
Add seed oils to your avoid list.
Seed oils are one of the nine groups in the checker and are on by default. On the home page or any comparison table you can switch the group on or off, and every product score, “contains” flag and filter updates against your saved avoid list. Your choices stay in your browser.
The short answer
Our picks for what are seed oils?
No pick yetEvery scored what are seed oils? label lists at least one of the groups we check, so nothing here earns a pick.
Clear noChick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich (Standard Recipe) (lists seed oils, MSG and artificial preservatives), Great Value Animal & Vegetable Shortening (lists seed oils and artificial preservatives), 4th & Heart Ghee Spray (lists seed oils), plus 21 more with a listed group.
Ranked from 24 of 24 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic puffed einkorn wheat, organic sugar, organic honey, organic sunflower oil. Contains wheat. Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Einkorn Cereal Puffs”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||||
| 92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic whole wheat flour, water, organic cracked wheat, organic brown sugar, organic wheat gluten, organic wheat bran, organic sunflower oil, yeast, sea salt, organic distilled white vinegar, organic molasses, cultured organic wheat flour, organic barley malt syrup, enzymes, ascorbic acid (dough conditioner). Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), organic quinoa, organic sunflower oil, organic red pepper, organic yellow pepper, organic carrot, organic zucchini, organic peas, organic sweetcorn, organic green olive, salt, organic ground black pepper and organic curcuma (from tumeric) Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Sugar, water, sunflower oil, potato starch, rice flour, Buffalo Ginger, Cloud Forest Cardamom, Royal Cinnamon, Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Artichoke Hearts, Water, Sunflower Oil, Vinegar, Salt, Herbs & Spices (Parsley, Cayenne, Cardamom, Mace, White Pepper, Marjoram, Tarragon, Thyme), Garlic, Onion, Vitamin C, Citric Acid. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Cane Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Sunflower Oil. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Non-GMO Rapeseed Oil, Non-GMO Soybean Oil, Onion, Texturized Soy Protein, Dried Chili Pepper, Garlic, Dried Garlic Flakes, Salt, Sugar, Fried Shallots (Shallots, Cornstarch, Palm Oil), Yeast Extract Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Seaweed, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Sesame Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Rosemary Extract (to preserve freshness). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Potatoes, Vegetable Oils (Canola, Sunflower and/or Safflower), Sea Salt. Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients 100% whole grain wheat flour, water, wheat protein isolate, eggs, canola oil, whey protein isolate, buttermilk, 100% whole grain oat flour, sunflower lecithin, egg whites, date powder, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda), natural flavors, sea salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Gluten-free oats*, date paste*, raisin paste*, sunflower oil*, dried apples*, chia seeds*, dried raspberries*, beet powder*, tapioca flour*, natural flavor*. *Organic. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Sugar, white vinegar, water, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, soybean vegetable oil, pineapple pulp, mustard flour, ghost pepper paste, salt, honey, passion fruit pulp, garlic, xanthan gum, citric acid, onion powder, paprika powder, ascorbic acid. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Cultured Cashew Milk (Filtered Water, Organic Cashews, Cultures), Filtered Water, Organic Sunflower Oil, Contains 2% or Less of: Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC OATMILK (FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC OAT BASE), LESS THAN 2% OF: ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL, CALCIUM & POTASSIUM BLEND, SEA SALT, GELLAN GUM. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Cashews, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Powder (Processed Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Corn, Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt, Lime Oil Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients MILK PROTEINS (WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CALCIUM CASEINATE, SODIUM CASEINATE, MICELLAR CASEIN), ERYTHRITOL, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER, CANOLA, AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL), WATER, ALMONDS, POLYDEXTROSE, GLYCERIN, PALM KERNEL AND PALM OIL, CELLULOSE. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, high oleic sunflower or safflower oil, contains less than 2% of pea protein, potassium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, gum arabic, gellan gum, sea salt, monk fruit extract. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, Coconut Milk (Coconut Cream, Water), Green Anaheim Pepper Puree, Ginger, Apple Juice Concentrate, Native Corn Starch, Lemongrass Puree (Lemongrass, Water), Cane Sugar and Contains 2% or Less of: Garlic, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Thai Basil Puree (Thai Basil, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Olive Oil, Lime Juice, Salt), Sea Salt, Spices, Galangal, Xanthan Gum, Green Chili Pepper. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Nut and Seed Flour Blend (Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds), Tapioca, Cassava, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Onion, Organic Garlic, Rosemary Extract (for freshness) Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ | ||||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Raisins, <1% Organic Sunflower Oil Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 53 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Grass-fed & pasture-raised ghee (clarified butter), avocado oil, cold-pressed grapeseed oil. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 47 / 1006 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 2 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breast with rib meat, water, enriched bleached flour [with malted barley flour, niacin, iron thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], fully refined peanut oil [with dimethylpolysiloxane {an anti-foam agent} added], sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, pasteurized nonfat dry milk, leavening [sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate], spices, soybean oil, paprika, pasteurized egg), bun (bleached and unbleached enriched flour [wheat flour {malted barley flour, reduced iron, niacin, thiamin mononitrate (Vitamin B1), riboflavin (Vitamin B2), folic acid}], water, sugar, yeast, soybean oil, vital wheat gluten, salt, cultured wheat flour, vinegar, calcium propionate [preservative], organic acids, monoglycerides, sesame flour, DATEM, soy lecithin, enzymes, wheat flour, calcium carbonate, ascorbic acid [dough conditioner], wheat starch, citric acid, potassium iodate, buttered flavored oil [soybean oil, palm kernel oil, soy lecithin, natural flavor, beta carotene]), pickles (cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, potassium sorbate [preservative], turmeric extract [color], natural flavor, dill pickle spice, beta carotene [color], garlic emulsion) Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ | ||||||||||
| Retail shortening blend | 47 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | |||||||
Recorded ingredients Beef Tallow, Lard, Hydrogenated Beef Tallow, Soybean Oil, Mono- and Diglycerides, BHA and BHT Added to Help Protect Flavor. Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Tallow blend · not pure beef tallow Contains soybean oil, other fats, BHA and BHT. Included as a tallow-containing alternative, not as pure or grass-fed tallow. Ingredient evidence is a retailer statement; match the current package. Lists soybean oil, BHA and BHT Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
Primary sources