Maybe not – but you’ve likely been consuming it for decades.
Hexane is a volatile solvent derived from crude oil and is employed in diverse industrial processes, but it is also used in food production, where it poses hidden health risks. Due to regulatory exemptions, consumers remain largely unaware of its presence in everyday products.
Its toxicity was first discovered in 1964. 60 years on, in its report published in September 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted the presence of hexane residues in food products and suggested that there was a need to re-evaluate hexane’s safety as an extraction solvent in food production. Human exposure to hexane raises several concerns, in particular with regard to genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxic effects, immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption, that need to be investigated further.
While we wait for answers (I’m not holding my breath!), by understanding and addressing these risks, you can make informed choices towards healthier dietary practices.
For those adhering to a strict plant-based regime, the presence of hexane in food products is a significant concern. Current legislation exempts hexane from being listed on food labels because it is classified as a processing aid. Consequently, even products advertised as using organic soybeans may still involve hexane in the oil extraction process, unbeknownst to consumers.
Hexane is used to extract oils from a variety of seeds and plants, including common cooking oils such as:
· Peanut oil
· Soy oil
· Canola oil
· Corn oil
· Grapeseed oil
· Cottonseed oil
· Rice bran oil
· Safflower oil
· Sunflower oil
Surprisingly, even olive oil can contain hexane, unless the bottle specifically labels it as virgin indicating that the oil is mechanically pressed directly from olives without chemical intervention.
Hexane's application extends beyond cooking oils. It is also used in the production of beer, particularly in separating hops. Additionally, it is used in the extraction of essential oils, in manufacturing nutritional supplements and utilised in extracting palm oil, which is prevalent in various baked goods including nutrition bars, butter substitutes, cakes and biscuits. This raises concerns about the potential accumulation and excretion of toxins in the body. Your liver and kidneys already have enough to cope with without this extra layer of toxicity!
So, what can you do?
Start by assessing your own personal risk factor:
· determine if your work environment, such as the paint, cleaning or automotive industry, involves hexane exposure
· be mindful of any hereditary health conditions that could exacerbate the effects of hexane. It has been linked to neuropathy and endocrine disruption in particular
· Always use virgin or extra virgin olive oil
· Have a blood test to look at the health of your liver and kidneys
· Consider a monthly detox
And if you need any help with your health, get in touch :)
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