Is rice bran oil vegan?

Rice bran oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the hard outer layer of rice grains, known as the bran and germ. It is produced during the milling process that turns brown rice into white rice, where the separated bran is gathered and subjected to either mechanical pressing or solvent extraction to release the oil. The crude oil undergoes refining, bleaching, and deodorization to create a stable, neutral cooking oil. Manufacturers use rice bran oil in a wide range of foods, including packaged snacks, potato chips, baked goods, margarines, and salad dressings.

Rice bran oil is vegan because it comes entirely from a plant source, the rice plant (Oryza sativa). No animal derivatives, animal fats, or animal-based processing aids are involved in its extraction, refining, or distribution. Because it is completely plant-derived and contains no animal inputs at any stage of manufacturing, rice bran oil qualifies as vegan.