Is corn oil a processed food?

Corn oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the germ of corn kernels. It is considered a processed food as it undergoes various stages of processing to obtain the final oil product.

1. Harvesting: Corn is harvested from the fields when the kernels are mature.

2. Cleaning and Drying: The harvested corn undergoes cleaning and drying processes to remove any dirt, debris, or moisture.

3. Kernel Separation: The corn kernels are separated from the cob using specialized machinery.

4. Germ Extraction: The corn germ, which contains the oil, is extracted from the kernels.

5. Oil Extraction: The germ undergoes mechanical processes, such as pressing or expelling, to extract the corn oil.

6. Refining: The crude corn oil is further refined to remove impurities, including phospholipids, free fatty acids, and color pigments.

7. Deodorization: The oil undergoes deodorization to eliminate any undesirable odors.

8. Fractionation: Some corn oil may undergo fractionation, a process that separates the oil into different components based on their melting points.

9. Packaging: The refined and deodorized corn oil is packaged in containers such as bottles, cans, or drums for distribution and sale.

Corn oil, like many other vegetable oils, is considered a processed food due to the various stages of refining, purification, and modification it goes through to obtain the final product.