AbstractSince its arrival in Malaysia as an ornamental plant in 1897, the oil palmEleais guineensis has achieved a position of economic significance to Malaysia. With a current annual production of 2.8 million tons, palm oil has ceased to be traded as a true primary commodity since it is predominantly traded in semi‐ and fully processed forms. Although palm oil may be handled by classical refining techniques, steam‐refining is gaining in popularity for economic and environmental reasons. With the application of physical refining techniques, due attention must be paid to the consequences of mishandling the minor constituents present in palm oil if consistent product integrity is to be achieved and maintained.