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Corn oil

Corn oil suppliers and sourcing guide

Corn oil is extracted from corn germ, the embryo separated from the kernel during wet or dry milling of Zea mays. The germ is expeller pressed and solvent extracted, and the oil is refined, bleached, winterized and deodorized. It is a neutral liquid oil used for frying, baking, dressings and margarine. Distillers corn oil recovered from ethanol plants is a different product mainly sold for feed and fuel.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Maize oil · Zea mays germ oil · Corn germ oil
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of corn oil

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • RBD corn oil

    Refined, bleached, winterized and deodorized oil, the standard food grade.

  • Expeller-pressed

    Mechanically pressed oil made without hexane, then refined.

  • Non-GMO and organic

    Identity-preserved non-GMO or certified organic oil.

  • Unrefined

    Lightly processed oil with corn flavor and color, in small supply.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Fatty acid profile
Linoleic and oleic acids by GC as methyl esters.
Free fatty acids and peroxide value
Free fatty acids (as oleic acid) by titration (AOCS Ca 5a-40) and peroxide value (AOCS Cd 8b-90); both rise as the oil ages or is handled poorly.
Cold test
Clarity after chilling, which shows whether waxes were removed by winterization.
Color
Lovibond color for refined grades.
Residual solvents
Hexane by headspace GC.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed, away from heat and light. Shelf life follows the supplier specification, with peroxide value retested on aged stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Record grade and non-GMO or organic documentation for each lot. Make sure the lot is food-grade germ oil and not distillers corn oil.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Corn oil suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking corn oil suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell corn oil? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of corn oil can brands buy?

Common forms include rBD corn oil, expeller-pressed, non-GMO and organic and unrefined. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for corn oil include?

Expect fatty acid profile, free fatty acids and peroxide value, cold test, color and residual solvents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should corn oil be stored?

Store sealed, away from heat and light. Shelf life follows the supplier specification, with peroxide value retested on aged stock.

What is the regulatory status of corn oil?

The Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, as printed in FAO's 2001 edition of Codex Alimentarius Volume 8, defines maize oil (corn oil) as derived from maize germ. GRN 900, for corn oil as a fat source in cow milk-based infant formula notified by Hogan Lovells US LLP, closed with FDA having no questions.

More oils and fats

All 61 oils and fats

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