Tag: Petroleum products

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food-grade mineral oil is 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) for very specific uses, but this is a far cry from being a suitable kitchen staple. Understanding the crucial differences between mineral oil and cooking oil is essential to ensure proper use and safety.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highly refined, food-grade mineral oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for specific uses, yet many people wonder: is mineral oil bad for you to ingest? The answer depends heavily on the oil's purity, dosage, and duration of use, as serious health concerns are possible under certain conditions.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, baby oil is a hydrocarbon and can be dangerous if swallowed due to aspiration risks. This fact is a critical indicator of why baby oil is not a food grade mineral oil and should never be used on surfaces that come into contact with food.

Despite common confusion, liquid paraffin and food grade mineral oil are not always the same, with the key difference being the level of refinement. While liquid paraffin is a general term for a highly refined petroleum product, only the specific food-grade mineral oil is deemed safe for consumption or incidental food contact.

In 2023, U.S. refineries produced about 45 gallons of products for every 42-gallon barrel of crude oil they processed, a phenomenon known as processing gain. This fact helps illustrate what does crude percentage mean, which is the quantifiable outcome of refining raw petroleum into marketable products.

According to the World Health Organization, highly refined mineral oils are classified as Group 3 non-carcinogenic, yet confusing them with cooking fats can have serious health consequences. Knowing the difference between mineral oil and edible oil is crucial for both industrial safety and food preparation at home.

In 2011 alone, over 20,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. were related to energy drink consumption, demonstrating the serious health implications that can come from certain 'fuel products'. The term 'fuel products' is ambiguous and requires a clear distinction between toxic petroleum products and specific sports nutrition supplements to determine if they are healthy or harmful.