Is Rapeseed Oil Ultra Processed? Cutting Through the Confusion

Rapeseed oil is widely used as a cooking oil in the UK, valued for its high unsaturated fat content and low levels of saturated fat. However, its association with ultra processed foods (UPFs) raises questions about its processing methods, quality, and overall contribution to a healthy diet. The debate intensifies with the query, “Is rapeseed oil ultra processed?” as many are divided into two main camps regarding rapeseed oil’s classification.

NOVA Purists

Some advocates strictly adhere to the NOVA classification guidelines, arguing that rapeseed oil should not be classified as ultra processed and can indeed be part of a healthy diet because within NOVA it is classed as category 2.

They contend that if a product contains rapeseed oil (that is not even explicitly labelled as cold-pressed or minimally processed) and if no other ingredients in the product are deemed ultra-processed, then the product as a whole should not be categorised as ultra-processed (UPF).

This viewpoint suggests that rapeseed oil can be considered a wholesome component of a balanced diet and poses the question “is rapeseed oil UPF?” suggesting it need not be a concern when encountered among various non-UPF ingredients in supermarket products.

Processing Skeptics:

Conversely, for some the question “Is rapeseed oil ultra processed” is an obvious yes! They argue that if a product contains rapeseed oil and no other UPF ingredients, it is still classified as UPF because they consider the rapeseed oil itself to be ultra processed.

This perspective highlights that the extensive industrial processing of refined rapeseed oil strips it of nutrients and beneficial compounds, aligning it with other UPFs.  They do not follow NOVA strictly in this respect and believe NOVA fails on the refined oil front.

So Who is Right?

In his book *Ultra Processed People*, Dr. Chris van Tulleken delves into the implications of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on our diet and health. He points out that many staple foods, especially those containing refined vegetable oils like rapeseed oil, often include various additives that contribute to their classification as UPFs.

Van Tulleken stresses that:

“…while not all cooking oils are ultra-processed, the inexpensive, generic vegetable oils commonly found in mass-produced products likely fall into this category due to their industrial processing and the additives used alongside them.”

This perspective often confuses consumers, who often miss off the last crucial part of this sentence: “and the additives used alongside them“.

It’s therefore crucial to note that rapeseed oil’s classification hinges on the context in which it appears—particularly when combined with other ingredients.

NOVA Classification – Category 2

If a product, such as fish fingers or bread, contains refined rapeseed oil alongside other non-UPF ingredients, then, by NOVA’s definition, it is not classified as ultra-processed. The presence of rapeseed oil alone does not elevate the product to the UPF category, because rapeseed oil falls within category 2 – processed culinary ingredients.

A Deeper Look at NOVA Group 4

Ultra-processed foods, as defined by NOVA Group 4 are:

“…ready to eat/drink/heat industrial formulations that are made with multiple industrial ingredients extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, while containing little whole foods.”

The key point here is: they are made with multiple industrial ingredients.

This means that if rapeseed oil is the only ingredient you’re concerned about in a product, it does not qualify as UPF. The NOVA definition clearly states that “ultra-processed foods include ingredients not used in culinary preparations” and since oils are indeed used in culinary contexts, they do not inherently contribute to a product’s UPF status.

The overarching aim of ultra-processing is to create highly profitable, hyper-palatable ready-to-consume products with a long shelf life. 

But does the inclusion of rapeseed oil make a product hyper-palatable?

No. The inclusion of rapeseed oil does not inherently make a product hyper-palatable. Hyper-palatable foods are typically characterised by high levels of sugar, fat, and salt, designed to trigger intense cravings and encourage overeating. 

While rapeseed oil is often used in cooking and food production, it is not the sole factor in creating hyper-palatable foods.

Many mass-produced products combine various ingredients—such as sugars and additives—with refined oils to achieve that hyper-palatable quality. For example, Dr. Chris van Tulleken points out that it’s the combination of multiple industrial ingredients, including additives and flavour enhancers, that contributes to this characteristic, rather than the presence of a single ingredient like rapeseed oil.

Reevaluating Rapeseed Oil: Could It Be Ultra Processed?

While the earlier sections of this article have explored various viewpoints on rapeseed oil’s classification under the NOVA system, it’s important to delve deeper into the arguments that might position it as a Group 4 ultra processed food.

The Case for Classifying Rapeseed Oil as Ultra-Processed (NOVA Group 4)

While rapeseed oil is often seen in a relatively benign light due to its beneficial fatty acid profile, there is a compelling argument to be made for its classification as an ultra processed food (UPF) under NOVA Group 4, particularly when considering its common production methods:

• Extensive Processing: Making refined rapeseed oil involves several intense steps like degumming, neutralising, bleaching, and deodorising. These steps clean the oil and make it stable, but they also remove many of the oil’s healthy natural parts.
• Use of Chemicals: To get the oil from rapeseed, chemicals like hexane are used. These kinds of chemicals aren’t normally used in everyday kitchen cooking and are a sign of heavy processing.
• Changed from Its Original Form: The oil that ends up in bottles is very different from the original seeds in taste and what it offers nutritionally. This big change is one reason it’s considered ultra processed by many.
• Additives: Rapeseed oil doesn’t naturally have additives, but during its making, things like anti-foaming agents and artificial preservatives might be added to keep it fresh longer. This also points to it being ultra processed.

What This Means for Consumers

If rapeseed oil is marked as a Group 4 food—meaning it’s heavily processed—it could change how people think about it and the choices they make. Knowing that a lot of work goes into making most rapeseed oils you find in stores might lead people to choose less processed options like cold-pressed oil, which keeps more of the natural goodness of the seeds.

Is Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil Ultra Processed?

No. It’s important to know that cold-pressed oils are less processed than refined oils. Cold pressing means pressing the seeds to get oil without using high heat or chemicals, which helps keep more natural nutrients and antioxidants.

Is Rapeseed Oil Bad for You?

Although outside the scope of this article, rapeseed oil can raise health concerns primarily due to its common refining and processing methods, which often strip away essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Processing Concerns

Is rapeseed oil ultra processed when it comes to how its processed? No, but as we have discussed above, maybe it should be. As stated the refining process of rapeseed oil typically involves high temperatures and chemical treatments, which can reduce its nutritional value and lead to an increase in unhealthy fats. For instance, the high heat used in processing can convert beneficial omega-3 fatty acids into trans fats, which are associated with various health risks [Cleveland Clinic].

This might not be something you would consider to be healthy. You can avoid this though but opting for cold pressed oil instead.

Omega-6 Fat Content

Like many seed oils, rapeseed oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. While these fats are essential for the body, excessive consumption—common in Western diets—can promote inflammation. Balancing omega-6 intake with omega-3s is crucial for maintaining health [Harvard Health Publishing].

Nutritional Benefits

Despite these concerns, rapeseed oil does offer some nutritional advantages:

• It is high in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which can be beneficial for heart health.

• The oil serves as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins E and K, which play vital roles in various bodily functions.

• Some studies suggest it contains functional components that may provide anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects ([National Library of Medicine].

Choosing Quality Oils

To maximise health benefits, it’s advisable to choose cold-pressed or minimally processed rapeseed oil whenever possible. These varieties retain more of the oil’s natural nutrients and beneficial properties [National Library of Medicine].

So, Is Rapeseed Oil Ultra Processed?:

NO, with a caveat.

Deciding is rapeseed oil ultra processed isn’t straightforward. According to NOVA guidelines, if a product only contains rapeseed oil and no other heavily processed ingredients, it usually isn’t considered ultra processed. This means rapeseed oil is okay if everything else in the product is minimally processed.

However, the way most rapeseed oil is made could put it in the ultra processed category because it goes through a lot of processing. If you’re trying to stay away from processed foods, it’s safer to choose cold pressed rapeseed oil, which is much less processed. Since many products use the more processed kind of rapeseed oil, you might want to avoid these unless they say they are cold pressed.

So, it’s up to you: you can follow the official guidelines, or if you want to be cautious, stick to cold-pressed rapeseed oil.

As it stands the simpler option may be just to stick to the official guidelines – particularly if you are just starting out minimisng ultra processed foods.

For more burning questions such as is rapeseed oil ultra processed, check out our: Is This Food Ultra Processed? section