Coconut oil is a staple in many Indian households. We use it for cooking, baby massages, hair care, skincare, and countless daily rituals. But what most people don't realize is that the way coconut oil is made can have a significant impact on its quality.

A peer-reviewed study published in Food Control found that 12 out of 32 coconut oil samples tested contained aflatoxins — toxins produced by mould. More concerningly, most of those contaminated samples exceeded European Union safety limits.

So how does mould end up in coconut oil in the first place?

It Starts With How the Coconut Is Processed

Most coconut oil available in the market is made from copra, which is dried coconut meat.

To produce copra, coconuts are split open and dried using sun exposure, smoke, or kiln drying. The dried coconut is then stored, transported, and eventually pressed into oil.

While this process has been used for generations, it comes with one major challenge: moisture and storage conditions can create the perfect environment for mould growth.

The Hidden Risk of Drying and Storage

During drying and storage, copra can become vulnerable to fungal contamination. Some moulds produce compounds called aflatoxins, which are among the most studied naturally occurring toxins in food.

To improve the appearance and quality of lower-grade copra oils, refining processes may involve bleaching, deodorizing, solvents, or other treatments before the oil reaches consumers.

But the question remains: can contamination occur before the oil is even pressed?

What the Research Found

In a study titled "Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Edible Vegetable Oils in Sri Lanka", researchers tested 32 coconut oil samples available in the market.

Their findings showed:

• 12 out of 32 samples (37.5%) contained aflatoxins

• Contamination levels ranged from 2.25–72.70 μg/kg

• 10 of the 12 contaminated samples exceeded the EU permissible limit for total aflatoxins

• Every contaminated sample was produced from copra

• The virgin coconut oil samples tested showed no detectable aflatoxin contamination

While the study was conducted in Sri Lanka, it highlights an important distinction between oils made from dried coconut and those produced using fresh coconut processing methods.

Why Our Process Is Different

At Dearist, we never begin with dried coconut.

Our Coconut Milk Oil is made from fresh coconut milk using a wet-process extraction method. Fresh coconuts are processed the same day, and the oil is separated using a centrifuge rather than heat-intensive drying methods.

Because there is no drying stage, there is no prolonged storage period where mould has an opportunity to develop on dried coconut meat.

Just as importantly, we use fresh coconut milk, not reconstituted coconut powder. Fresh milk is what allows the traditional wet-process method to work the way it was originally intended — preserving the natural qualities of the coconut from start to finish.

The result is an extra virgin coconut milk oil that remains as close as possible to the fresh coconut it came from.

Can You Tell the Difference?

Many people assume all coconut oils are the same. In reality, the starting ingredient and extraction method can make a world of difference.

Whether you're using coconut oil for cooking, baby massage, hair care, or skincare, understanding how it's made matters.

Dearist Coconut Milk Oil is trusted by families for everyday use because of its purity, freshness, and quality. Once you've experienced oil made from fresh coconut milk rather than dried copra, the difference is often immediately noticeable.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always patch test the oil. Avoid use if your baby has a known coconut allergy. Consult your paediatrician before introducing any new oil to your baby's skincare routine.

Sources

Karunarathna et al. (2019)
"Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Edible Vegetable Oils in Sri Lanka"
Published in Food Control (Elsevier). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.02.017