Food · Oils & fats

Rice Bran Oil

米油 (Komeyu)

Also known as: Komeyu, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

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At a glance

CategoryFood
INCI nameOryza Sativa Bran Oil (for cosmetic use)
Japanese labeling nameコメヌカ油 (for cosmetic labeling)
Common Japanese notations米油, コメ油, 米ぬか油
OriginPlant-derived (rice bran, byproduct of rice milling)
Typical functionsCulinary fat, Cosmetic emollient, Supplement ingredient (gamma-oryzanol source)
Regulatory status in JapanFood oil regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic-grade Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary.

Rice bran oil — komeyu — is the oil extracted from the pericarp and germ fractions of rice (rice bran, the byproduct of polishing). It is one of the few major culinary oils produced domestically in Japan at scale, and it is valued both for its high smoke point and for its natural gamma-oryzanol content. The same raw material also produces a cosmetic-grade oil used in skincare formulations.

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Classification

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Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Tempura and deep-frying oil
  • Table / finishing oil
  • Cosmetic formulations

Ingredient profile

Rice bran oil is extracted from rice bran by solvent extraction (for most food-grade volumes) or expeller pressing. The fatty acid profile is roughly balanced between saturated and mono/poly-unsaturated fats: oleic acid 38–48 percent, linoleic acid 30–35 percent, palmitic acid 15–20 percent.

The oil is also a natural source of gamma-oryzanol — a mixture of ferulic acid esters of sterols and triterpene alcohols — which drives some of its supplement and cosmetic positioning.

OEM applications

Rice bran oil is one of Japan's standard deep-frying and all-purpose cooking oils, valued for a clean flavor and a high smoke point. It is widely used for tempura, karaage, and other deep-fried dishes.

In cosmetics, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is used as an emollient, often alongside rice-derived extracts, to reinforce a rice-ingredient brand narrative.

Gamma-oryzanol is sometimes isolated and sold as a separate supplement or cosmetic ingredient.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Food-grade rice bran oil is regulated under the Food Sanitation Act and classified under relevant JAS food oil standards.

Cosmetic-grade Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUFood-grade rice bran oil is permitted under general food law. Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is listed in CosIng for cosmetic use.
USAFood-grade rice bran oil is used in specialty culinary applications. Cosmetic INCI recognized by PCPC.
ChinaPermitted per IECIC for cosmetic uses and relevant food standards for food uses.
KoreaPermitted in food and cosmetic applications under the relevant regulatory frameworks.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Rice Bran Oil?
Rice bran oil — komeyu — is the oil extracted from the pericarp and germ fractions of rice (rice bran, the byproduct of polishing). It is one of the few major culinary oils produced domestically in Japan at scale, and it is valued both for its high smoke point and for its natural gamma-oryzanol content. The same raw material also produces a cosmetic-grade oil used in skincare formulations.
What is the regulatory status of Rice Bran Oil in Japan?
Food oil regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic-grade Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary.
What products typically use Rice Bran Oil?
Tempura and deep-frying oil / Table / finishing oil / Cosmetic formulations
Where does Rice Bran Oil come from?
Plant-derived (rice bran, byproduct of rice milling)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Rice Bran Oil?
INCI: Oryza Sativa Bran Oil (for cosmetic use) / JSCI: コメヌカ油 (for cosmetic labeling)

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What is gamma-oryzanol and why is it relevant to OEM positioning?

Gamma-oryzanol is a mixture of ferulic acid esters naturally present in rice bran oil (typically 0.1-2% in refined oil, higher in unrefined). It is the basis for antioxidant and cholesterol-related positioning in supplements, and is also approved as a quasi-drug active in Japan for certain skincare claims.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Q. What is the smoke point of refined rice bran oil and why does it matter for foodservice OEM?

Refined rice bran oil has a smoke point of approximately 230°C, making it well-suited for tempura and karaage frying applications. This thermal stability and clean flavor make it a default choice for Japanese foodservice and prepared-food OEM frying programs.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT)
Q. Is rice bran oil a recognized cosmetic emollient under JCIA labeling?

Yes — Oryza Sativa Bran Oil is a JSCI-registered cosmetic ingredient (Japanese standardized name) and is listed in the international INCI dictionary. It can be declared on cosmetic labels in Japan and exported markets without special filings.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

Q. What are typical MOQ and pack sizes for cosmetic-grade rice bran oil?

Cosmetic-grade rice bran oil is commonly sold by Japanese ingredient suppliers in 16-18 kg pail or 180-200 kg drum formats, with MOQs from a single pail. Refined-deodorized vs. unrefined (oryzanol-rich) grades carry different price points and sensory profiles.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Industry knowledge — Japanese cosmetic ingredient distribution

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Use cases

  • Foodservice and prepared-food frying oil (tempura, karaage)

    Positioning
    Clean-flavor, high-smoke-point default frying oil
    Formulation notes
    Often blended with other vegetable oils to manage cost; supplied in 16.5 kg cans for foodservice.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese foodservice oil market

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Rice-narrative skincare line (toners, body lotions, cleansers)

    Positioning
    Rice-derived ingredient story aligned with Japanese heritage branding
    Typical usage level
    1-10% as emollient in O/W emulsions
    Formulation notes
    Pairs well with rice ferment filtrate, rice bran extract for unified ingredient narrative.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese cosmetics formulation patterns

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Gamma-oryzanol supplement tablet/capsule

    Positioning
    Antioxidant or cholesterol-care positioning (subject to claims regulation)
    Typical usage level
    10-300 mg gamma-oryzanol per dose
    Formulation notes
    Sold as standardized concentrated extract; FFC notifications exist for some SKUs.
  • Massage oil and cleansing oil (cosmetic)

    Positioning
    Lightweight emollient with mild sensory profile
    Typical usage level
    10-90% of formula
    Formulation notes
    Refined grade preferred to minimize residual color and odor.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese facial oil formulation

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

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References

  1. 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) food oil JAS standards
  2. JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — コメヌカ油

Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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