Macadamia nut oil
Macadamia nut oil is pressed from the kernels of macadamia nuts (Macadamia integrifolia, M. tetraphylla and their hybrids), grown in Australia, South Africa, Kenya and Hawaii. It is usually expeller- or cold-pressed from kernels not sold as whole nuts, then filtered or refined. The oil is high in oleic acid and unusually high in palmitoleic acid. Brands buy virgin oil for foods and refined oil for cosmetics.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Filtered, unrefined oil with a mild nutty flavor, used in foods and dressings.
Refined, bleached and deodorized oil with little odor, the usual cosmetic grade.
Oil from certified organic orchards.
Refined oil supplied with cosmetic documentation such as INCI name and micro limits.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store sealed in a cool, dark place; macadamia oil is fairly stable because it is low in polyunsaturated fat. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with peroxide value retested on aged stock.
Record grade, origin and refining status for each lot. Flavor of virgin oil varies with kernel quality and roasting, so taste-check new lots for food use.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00487) covers the nuts and oil of Macadamia integrifolia and lists them as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) lists macadamia nut (Macadamia spp.) among the tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) states that highly refined oils are specifically exempt from the definition of major food allergen.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)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.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Distributor · Des Plaines, IL
Illinois supplier of bulk oils, butters, waxes and soap-making bases, owned by Columbus Vegetable Oils, selling to soap makers and small personal care brands.
Manufacturer · Deerfield, IL
US oleochemical producer whose personal care unit (which absorbed Jeen International) sources, blends and refines natural oils and butters in cosmetic, food and pharma grades, and makes glycerin.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include virgin cold-pressed, refined, organic and cosmetic grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect fatty acid profile, free fatty acids and peroxide value, color and flavor, refining statement and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store sealed in a cool, dark place; macadamia oil is fairly stable because it is low in polyunsaturated fat. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with peroxide value retested on aged stock.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00487) covers the nuts and oil of Macadamia integrifolia and lists them as not novel in food. FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) lists macadamia nut (Macadamia spp.) among the tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens. FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) states that highly refined oils are specifically exempt from the definition of major food allergen.
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