Seed Oils Are Poison. But What Are You Doing About It?

April 15 — We appreciate health expert Gary Brecka and Joe Rogan’s candid discussion on the potential health risks associated with seed oils, as highlighted in a recent Daily Mail article - Joe’s reactions themselves are priceless to watch.

The interview highlights concerns about the widespread use of common cooking oils like canola, corn, grapeseed, sunflower, and soybean in processed foods, and their possible links to health issues such as cancer and dementia. Gary's emphasis on scrutinizing the ingredients in our diets is a crucial step toward better health awareness, and preventing degenerative health effects later in life.

However, while raising awareness is vital, it's equally important to provide practical solutions - instead of dishing out fear, you should be dishing out hope. Consumers seeking to avoid seed oils need guidance on which products and brands align with this goal. For instance, some stores contain way more products with seed oils in their ingredients than others - why not let consumers know so they can avoid that store altogether? Likely, it’s because comprehensive information on these options is often lacking. 

Here’s something to get started with based on our proprietary WISEdata™:

Top 5 highest seed oil retailers in the US: 

• Trader Joe’s: 43% of products have seed oils

• CVS: 43%

• Safeway: 41%

• Albertsons: 40%

• Kroger: 40%

Top 5 lowest seed oil retailers in the US:

• Erewhon: 15%

• Whole Foods: 26%

• Sprouts: 33%

• Walmart: 36%

• Costco: 36%

With this data, consumers at least know where they should shop if seed oils are something they want to mitigate from their diets.

There are also alternatives you can suggest right off the bat to make things easier for the consumer, like using extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil instead of the aforementioned oils. Without clear recommendations and data, individuals will find it challenging to make informed choices that align with their health objectives. They’ll get frustrated. They’ll give up. 

Only 17% of U.S. consumers say they regularly read the full ingredient list on packaged foods (IFIC 2023 Food & Health Survey). To bridge this gap, tools like the WISEcode app can be instrumental. By scanning product barcodes, WISEcode reveals detailed ingredient information, helping users identify and avoid seed oils (and more) in their food choices. We encourage Gary and food experts to extend their advocacy by highlighting such resources and providing specific brand and store recommendations. Empowering consumers with actionable information will enhance their ability to make healthier dietary decisions and foster a more informed public discourse on nutrition. Download WISEcode here.

*While we strive for accuracy, WISEdata™ may contain minor errors and should be considered directional as we continue to develop our database at this time.