Seed Oils Branded Toxic, Experts Say the Opposite: Scientific Evidence Doesn't Support It

Amid the torrent of health information on social media, seed oils—such as canola, sunflower, and corn oil—have become an easy target. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the United States Secretary of Health, has called them 'toxic' and promised to take action. Hundreds of influencers in workout gear have also rushed to claim that nothing damages health more than these products. Yet established scientific evidence says the opposite: seed oils are safe to consume in reasonable amounts and may even benefit the heart.

Public concern about seed oils centers on one issue: inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, are accused of triggering an inflammatory response in the body when consumed in excess. This accusation stems from studies in rodents showing that very high omega-6 levels can cause liver and intestinal problems. However, results from mice do not automatically apply to humans. Epidemiological data in human populations actually show that those who consume more linoleic acid have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Professor Lauren Ball, Director of the Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing at the University of Queensland, stressed there is no convincing evidence that consuming seed oils in normal amounts harms health. 'These oils contain unsaturated fats that are generally beneficial for cardiovascular health,' she said. Similarly, Dr. Jason Wu of the University of New South Wales stated that the evidence base consistently shows health benefits from consuming seed oils. In fact, randomized controlled trials comparing omega-3 and omega-6 given to the same individuals found no significant difference in markers of inflammation.

If the scientific evidence is so clear, why does the anti-seed-oil narrative remain so popular? The answer lies in diet trends. The eating patterns popular online today tend to be high in animal fat, such as the keto and carnivore diets. Promoting books or products with the claim that seed oils are dangerous has become an effective marketing strategy. On top of that, fear-mongering content—such as shouts that 'we are all being poisoned'—draws far more attention from social media algorithms than calm scientific explanations.

"The pro-inflammatory effects of omega-6 fatty acids are not supported by evidence," stressed Dr. Jason Wu, quoted from the Antiviral column in The Guardian.

What is often overlooked in this debate is the comparison with animal fats. Animal fats, such as butter and meat fat, contain high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) that can clog blood vessels and trigger heart attacks. Professor Ball added that replacing saturated fat—such as butter—with unsaturated fat from canola or sunflower oil can lower LDL cholesterol, which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In other words, seed oils are not only safe but also a better choice for heart health than animal fats.

For Indonesian consumers, this anti-seed-oil narrative should be approached critically. Cooking oils on the market, including those derived from palm oil, have varied fatty acid profiles. Although not seed oils in the strict definition, the principle is similar: unsaturated fats are better than saturated fats. The public is advised not to be easily swayed by viral claims that lack a scientific basis, especially if those claims come with hidden commercial interests. Balanced, research-based nutrition education remains key.

Going forward, waves of nutrition misinformation are expected to keep recurring with shifting targets. Experts stress the importance of health literacy and the role of authorities in correcting misleading narratives. The question is, will the public trust science again, or will it sink further into the fear produced by those seeking to profit?