Cottonseed

Cottonseed is part of the mallow family, which contains cottonseed, maple syrup (sometimes included) and okra.

My first allergist gave this info to me and there's no reference as to source. Not sure how old it is or if applicable to Canada. Abbreviated format is mine to save typing. Please contact the manufacturer to find out what they are using. This information (pre 1994) may be outdated now.

"Cottonseed may be contacted in any of these forms:
1) linters
Linter is the name given to the short fiber that clings to the cottonseed after the long fiber has been removed. These linters contain fragments of the seeds. They are used in spinning or to make cotton wadding or batting.
Wadding or batting is used to make pads and cushions, comforts, some mattresses and upholstery. Pads, etc., made of batting or wadding should not be used. Methods of avoiding contacts with mattresses and upholstery are the same for house dust mites.

Kapok is the fiber of the silk cotton tree, closely related to cotton, may crossreact with cottonseed. Usually part of house dust complex. Some uses: furniture upholstery, life jackets (old ones), mattresses, pillows, stuffed toys.
Varnishes, particularly those used for coating metals, artificial leather and waterproofing, are often made from linters, hence avoid wet varnishes.

2) cottonseed meal products
Cottonseed cake and meal are used as fertilizer, feed for farm animals, flour for human food. Sometimes used to make gin. Also used to make xylose or wood sugar. May be used in soft drinks (has a sweet taste) but to our knowledge it is not used in the common soft drinks.

3) cottonseed oil
The finest oil is used for food. Most salad oils contain this oil, as do most oleomargarines. Mayonnaises and salad dressings are almost always made with cottonseed oil, unless homemade. Lard compound and lard substitutes are made with cottonseed oil. You should avoid all of these products.

Sardines may be packed in cottonseed oil. Most commercial frying and baking, such
as cakes, breads, fish, popcorn, potato chips and doughnuts are also made with the oil. Pure Lard and MAZOLA may be used in your cooking. Candies, particularly chocolate, often contain this oil. Olive oil is often adulterated with it.

Also
- used as a base for liniments and salves.
- camphorated oil, miner's and altar lamps may contain also.
-Also used in manufacture of paper, salt, machine tools and paint. Avoid industrial shops where fumes of cottonseed may be inhaled.
-Cosmetics.
-May be used to polish fruit at fruit stands.
-Both cottonseed and flaxseed are excreted in the milk of animals. Since either of these seeds is often fed to cattle, you will have to omit milk if you cannot get it from animals not fed cottonseed or flaxseed.

Again, this information may be outdated. Check before panicking!

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