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Soybean oil

Soybean oil suppliers and sourcing guide

Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans (Glycine max), usually by hexane extraction of flaked beans, then degummed, refined, bleached and deodorized. It is the most widely produced oil in the United States and is used for frying, baking, dressings and as a carrier oil. The lecithin removed during degumming is sold as soy lecithin. Brands buy RBD oil, high-oleic oil, or non-GMO and organic grades.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Glycine max oil · Soya bean oil · Soy oil
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of soybean oil

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

  • RBD soybean oil

    Refined, bleached and deodorized oil, the standard commodity grade.

  • High-oleic soybean oil

    Oil from varieties bred for higher oleic and lower linolenic acid, used for frying stability.

  • Expeller-pressed

    Mechanically pressed oil made without hexane, then refined.

  • Non-GMO and organic

    Identity-preserved non-GMO or certified organic oil, at a premium.

What to check on the COA

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

Fatty acid profile
Fatty acids by GC as methyl esters, including linolenic acid, which drives off-flavor development.
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.
Color and flavor
Lovibond color and a flavor score for deodorized oil.
Residual solvents
Hexane by headspace GC.
Non-GMO documentation
Identity-preservation certificates for non-GMO lots.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed, away from heat and light; soybean oil can develop beany or fishy off-flavors as it oxidizes. 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. For allergen labeling decisions, keep the supplier statement on refining for each lot.

Regulatory status

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

  • The Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, as printed in FAO's 2001 edition of Codex Alimentarius Volume 8, defines soya bean oil as derived from the seeds of Glycine max.

    Source: fao.org (opens in a new tab)

  • The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 excludes highly refined oil derived from a major food allergen, such as soybeans, from the definition of major food allergen.

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • GRN 306, for soybean oil with reduced palmitic and linolenic acids and increased oleic acid notified by Monsanto Company, closed with FDA having no questions.

    Source: hfpappexternal.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.

Soybean oil suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking soybean 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 soybean oil? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of soybean oil can brands buy?

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

What should the COA for soybean oil include?

Expect fatty acid profile, free fatty acids and peroxide value, color and flavor, residual solvents and non-GMO documentation, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should soybean oil be stored?

Store sealed, away from heat and light; soybean oil can develop beany or fishy off-flavors as it oxidizes. Shelf life follows the supplier specification, with peroxide value retested on aged stock.

What is the regulatory status of soybean oil?

The Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, as printed in FAO's 2001 edition of Codex Alimentarius Volume 8, defines soya bean oil as derived from the seeds of Glycine max. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 excludes highly refined oil derived from a major food allergen, such as soybeans, from the definition of major food allergen. GRN 306, for soybean oil with reduced palmitic and linolenic acids and increased oleic acid notified by Monsanto Company, closed with FDA having no questions.

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