AbstractCertain metals often produce deleterious effects when present in soybean oil. Trace quantities of copper, iron and manganese dramatically reduce the oxidative stability of edible oils. The presence of calcium and magnesium in crude oils reduces the efficiency of degumming and refining operations. Sodium soaps reduce bleaching efficiency by inactivating adsorption sites on bleaching earth. Phosphatides or phosphorous containing lipids exert a poisoning effect on hydrogenation catalysts. Nickel, an artifact of hydrogenation, must be removed from the oil for health, stability and safety considerations. This paper provides an overview of the various effects of metals on processing and stability, describes how to inhibit or diminish their activity, and discusses various analytical techniques for identification and quantitation of the metals present in soybean oil.