What is palm oil listed as on ingredients?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2020 report from eco-nnect estimates that palm oil is present in approximately 50% of all packaged products found on supermarket shelves. While sometimes explicitly labelled, discovering what is palm oil listed as on ingredients lists often requires deeper investigation due to a wide variety of alternate names and derivatives.

Quick Summary

Palm oil appears under many alternative names on product labels, from generic terms like 'vegetable oil' to chemical derivatives. Consumers need to be aware of these aliases to accurately identify its presence in packaged goods.

Key Points

Generic Labels: Palm oil is often hidden under generic terms like 'Vegetable Oil' or 'Vegetable Fat'.
Derivatives and Aliases: Watch for scientific and chemical names like 'Palmitate', 'Stearic Acid', and 'Elaeis Guineensis'.
Saturated Fat Clues: A high saturated fat content in a product listing 'vegetable oil' is a strong indicator of palm oil's presence.
Personal Care Products: Ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) in cosmetics and cleaning products are frequently derived from palm oil.
Look for Certifications: For transparency, seek out products certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) or those with explicit 'palm oil free' labels.
Utilize Scanning Apps: Specialized mobile applications can help identify potential palm oil ingredients by scanning a product's barcode.

Why is Palm Oil Labelled Under Different Names?

Palm oil is a highly versatile and inexpensive ingredient used in everything from food to cosmetics due to its stability and texture. Because of its ubiquity, manufacturers have found many ways to incorporate it into products, leading to a confusing array of names on ingredient lists. In many regions, regulations have historically allowed for this ambiguity, enabling companies to hide palm oil under generic terms like "vegetable oil" or use derivatives with chemical-sounding names.

The Most Common Aliases for Palm Oil

For consumers looking to avoid or track palm oil for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, understanding the most common aliases is the first step. Here is a list of common names to watch for on packaging:

Vegetable Oil/Fat: A very common and frustratingly vague term, where the source of the oil (including palm) is not specified.
Palm Kernel Oil: Derived from the seed of the palm fruit, this is a different product but also from the same tree.
Palmate, Palmitate, or Palmitic Acid: Any ingredient with the root "palm-" is a clear indication of a palm oil derivative.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate: Commonly found in personal care products like shampoos and toothpaste, these surfactants are frequently derived from palm oil.
Elaeis Guineensis: This is the scientific name for the oil palm tree and indicates a direct palm oil source.
Glyceryl Stearate: This is an emulsifier that can be derived from various vegetable oils, including palm oil.
Stearic Acid: A fatty acid found in both plant and animal fats, but often derived from palm oil when used in cosmetics and food.
Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) or Substitute (CBS): Used in confectionery, these are often blends containing palm oil.

Decoding the Ingredient List

Identifying palm oil goes beyond simply scanning for a specific word. Because of the vast number of derivatives, consumers must become detectives when reading labels. This is especially true for non-food items like cosmetics, where regulations can be even less stringent.

Tips for Spotting Hidden Palm Oil

Look for 'variable proportions': Some regional laws require that if a product lists "vegetable oils (in varying proportions)," it might contain palm oil.
Check the Saturated Fat Content: Palm oil is known for its high saturated fat content. If a product lists generic "vegetable oil" and has a high percentage of saturated fat, it's a strong indicator that palm oil is present.
Analyze Chemical Names: Look for specific prefixes like Cetearyl, Myristyl, Octyl, or Laur followed by other words. For example, Cetyl Palmitate or Octyl Stearate often indicate a palm oil derivative.
Use Scanning Apps: Several mobile apps are designed to scan product barcodes and highlight potential palm oil ingredients, helping consumers in real-time.

Understanding Vegetable Oil Labelling

To further clarify why palm oil is hard to identify, it helps to compare its labelling with other vegetable oils. This table highlights the difference in transparency.


Oil Type	Typical Labelling Transparency	Potential Ambiguity	How to Identify
Olive Oil	Specific as "Olive Oil"	Very low; usually clearly labelled.	Look for "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" or "Olive Oil".
Sunflower Oil	Often specific as "Sunflower Oil"	Some ambiguity if used in a "vegetable oil" blend.	Explicitly listed as "Sunflower Oil".
Palm Oil	Can be specific or hidden	High; frequently listed under generic names or derivatives.	Look for aliases like `Vegetable Oil`, `Palmate`, `Elaeis Guineensis`.
Soybean Oil	Generally specific as "Soybean Oil"	Can be part of a generic "vegetable oil" blend.	Look for specific listing or check for sustainability certification.

How to Approach Shopping

For a consumer, navigating these labels can be challenging. The first step is to be aware of the issue and the common aliases. For products where you are uncertain, contacting the manufacturer directly can provide clarity. Supporting brands that explicitly label their palm oil sources or are certified by organizations like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) can also help drive transparency. While not all certifications guarantee complete sustainability, they are a step in the right direction. For those seeking to avoid palm oil entirely, looking for specific "palm oil free" certifications is the most reliable method.

Conclusion

Identifying palm oil on an ingredients list is more complex than a simple scan. Its many alternative names, from generic 'vegetable oil' to numerous chemical derivatives, demand a more critical approach from consumers. By recognizing common aliases, understanding labelling tricks, and leveraging tools like scanning apps, individuals can gain better control over their purchasing decisions. Empowering yourself with this knowledge is crucial for supporting both personal health and environmentally conscious practices. For further information and a more exhaustive list of derivatives, you can consult resources like the Rainforest Action Network's guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm oil is difficult to identify because regulations in many regions have historically allowed manufacturers to label it using generic terms like 'vegetable oil' or numerous chemical derivatives, rather than requiring specific labelling.

Yes, 'vegetable oil' is a very common umbrella term used to conceal palm oil, especially when the oil's source is not specified.

Some common aliases include Palm Kernel Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmitic Acid, and Elaeis Guineensis. Many ingredients containing 'glyc', 'stear', or 'laur' can also be palm-derived.

While often derived from palm oil, SLS can also be made from coconut oil. However, its presence, especially alongside other suspicious ingredients, is a potential indicator.

A key indicator is the saturated fat content listed in the nutrition information. Since palm oil is high in saturated fat, a product with high saturated fat under the generic label likely contains it.

The RSPO is an organization that promotes the production and use of sustainable palm oil. Products with RSPO certification claim to use palm oil sourced from more eco-friendly areas.

The most definitive way is to look for products specifically certified as 'palm oil free' by independent programs like the Palm Oil Free Certification Accreditation Programme (POFCAP).