This week’s episode of The Natural List digs into hot topics in the natural products industry: ultra-processed foods and seed oils! Our host Adrienne Smith talks with Douglas Brown, senior retail reporter at New Hope Network and Sierra Forest, Marketing Director and part of the family who started behind Simply Sunflower Oil, to get the scoop.

Digging into the facts, both of our guests highlight that it isn’t the seed oils themselves that are unhealthy; rather, it’s the ultra-processing that most bulk seed oils undergo. Sierra shares that Simply Sunflower Oil is the world’s first non-UPF verified cooking oil and that the brand is within the first 100 products to carry the new non-UPF verified seal.

What does the non-UPF seal aim to do? Dough shares insights from his panel at Natural Products Expo West, where he spoke with non-UPF founder Megan Westgate on what the seal means for the CPG Industry. Registered attendees can watch the session on demand in the Expo West app here.

Learn more about the differences in taste, flavor and nutrition between non-UPF seed oils and traditional oil processing in this week’s episode.

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Thank you to our sponsors, Om Mushroom Superfood and Bimbo Bakeries USA.

In this episode:

0:15 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood.

0:58 – Welcome to our guest, New Hope Network Senior Retail Reporter, Douglas Brown.

2:24 – Are seed oils actually bad for you? Is seed oil ultra-processed?

3:59 – If seed oils are vilified, are nuts on the outs, too?

4:55 – Founder of non-GMO and non-UPF verifications, Megan Westgate, shared the story behind the seals with Doug during a session at Expo West.

5:55 – Simply Sunflower oil is one of the first 100 products to carry the non-UPF seal.

6:45 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA.

7:28 – Welcome to our interview guest, Sierra Forest, part of the family behind the brand Simply Sunflower Oil.

8:45 – Simply Sunflower Oil is the world’s first Non-UPF verified cooking oil.

10:10 – Instead of vilifying certain ingredients or food, we should be wary of the ultra-processing that goes into them.

10:58 – The taste and smell of non-UPF verified cooking oil is different from even organic oils.

13:36 – Simply Sunflower Oil is produced in an independent processing facility, so there are no risks of cross-contamination with other allergens.