The International Food Council Foundation’s food and health survey found that 56 percent of Americans rated sunflower oil as either extremely healthful, or somewhat healthful. National Sunflower Association Executive Director, John Sandbakken says that’s up significantly from the last report six years ago.

Sandbakken says over 1,000 people between the ages of 18 to 80 were surveyed over a two week period during March. He says besides the high healthy rating, sunflower oil was found to be healthier than olive oil. He says these survey numbers will be very helpful for selling sunflowers on both the domestic and international markets.

Sandbakken says they’re working on making sunflower oil even more healthy by moving the industry toward high oleic production. He says high oleic sunflower oil gives products a longer shelf life, and it lasts longer in a fryer than other oils