In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Can you get sick from eating expired vegetable oil?” with an in-depth analysis of rancidity and its impacts on our health. Moreover, we are going to discuss the nutritional information of vegetable oil.
Can you get sick from eating expired vegetable oil?
No, eating expired vegetable oil can not make you sick. But it will have off smell and taste and have lost a lot of antioxidant content. If it is consumed for a short time then it won’t show significant health issues but long-term usage can be dangerous for health.
How can we identify that vegetable oil is expired or rancid?
You can identify the rancid oil by its smell and taste. If oil has a noticeable unpleasant aroma and if you feel an unpleasant taste of food fried in oil then it means the oil has gone rancid. So it’s better to discard that oil to remain safe from harmful health effects.
What is the shelf life of unopened vegetable oil?
The unopened vegetable oil lasts for about 2 years or even more. The oil can last longer when it is stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry, away from direct sunlight and heat.
What is the shelf life of opened vegetable oil?
The opened vegetable oil lasts for about 1 year if it is stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
What are the types of rancidity of vegetable oil?
The expired vegetable oil undergoes two types of rancidity:
- Hydrolytic rancidity
- Oxidative Rancidity
Hydrolytic Rancidity:
In hydrolytic rancidity, the triglyceride molecule of vegetable oil splits into its three fatty acids and glycerol. This process occurs in the presence of water and releases free fatty acids.
Oxidative Rancidity:
In oxidative rancidity, hydroperoxides are formed in the presence of oxygen when heat or light acts on the fatty acids of vegetable oil. Hydroperoxides are then converted to oxygenated aldehydes.
What are the effects of hydrolytic rancid vegetable oil?
In hydrolytic rancidity, volatile free fatty acids are released that can smell unpleasant. These fatty acids may have a foul smell and taste but are not harmful to your health.
What are the effects of oxidative rancid vegetable oil?
In oxidative rancidity, oxygenated aldehydes are produced that are very toxic. These oxygenated aldehydes create oxidative stress in your cells and increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis and other degenerative diseases.
Should we store the oil in the refrigerator or freezer?
Keeping oil in the refrigerator or freezer is a good method for heat-sensitive heat-sensitive oils like almond oil or truffle oil should always be refrigerated. At cooler temperatures, the oil will become cloudy but at room temperature cloudiness will go away.
Which antioxidants are used to preserve vegetable oil?
The most commonly used antioxidant for oils is Vitamin E. Synthetic oxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole or phosphoric acid last longer than natural antioxidants. These antioxidants are used to protect the oils from oxidation and improve their shelf life.
What is the nutritional status of vegetable oil?
Vegetable oil contains the following nutrients:
Portion Size 14 g
Amount Per portion calories 110
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17 %
Saturated Fat 1.8g 9 %
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0 %
Protein 0g 0 %
Vitamin D mcg N/A
Calcium mg N/A
Iron mg N/A
Potassium mg N/A
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient is contributing to a daily diet.
How to store oil for the long term?
The vegetable oil can be stored for a longer period by following these methods:
- Don’t open the bottle of vegetable oil. When you open the bottle of vegetable oil, the molecules of the oil will react with oxygen and make oil rancid. So as long as the bottle remains closed, the oil is safe from oxidation. You should use an opened bottle of vegetable oil within 6 months only.
- Don’t use plastic bottles because these are not completely airtight. Glass bottles or metal tins are a better option if you want to store oil for the long term.
- Keep the vegetable oil away from light. Light makes antioxidants and degrade the healthy parts of oil faster. To store your oil for a long time, keep it in the dark and away from the window. You can also store it in dark bottles.
- Keep your vegetable oil cool. Keep it under 60F. If you will not keep your oil cool then you can use it within 6 months only.
- You can also use nitrogen-flushed bottles. Some oils like flaxseed and nut oils oxidize rapidly even if a small amount of oxygen is present in the headspace of the bottle. So nitrogen-flushing is used to remove oxygen before sealing.
Here are some other methods discussed that you can use.
Conclusion:
In this brief study, we answered the question “Can you get sick from eating expired vegetable oil?” with an in-depth analysis of rancidity and its impacts on our health. Moreover, we also discussed the nutritional information of vegetable oil.