What the reference record reports
Smooth peanut butter without salt in USDA SR Legacy contains 12.264 g in the 18:2 polyunsaturated-fat field per 100 g, alongside 0.027 g specifically identified ALA. A 32 g portion gives about 3.924 g 18:2 and 0.009 g ALA. Retaining the field names avoids calling an undifferentiated fatty-acid measurement a complete omega-6 assay. [1]
Composition is not a diagnosis of inflammation
Linoleic acid belongs to the omega-6 family and ALA to omega-3. ODS identifies both as essential fatty acids. A large difference between these two quantities in one food does not establish that the food is toxic, that it causes symptoms, or that a single ideal ratio applies to every meal. Health effects require evidence about the overall diet and relevant outcomes. [2]
A hypothetical serving change
Reducing a portion from 32 g to 16 g halves both reference amounts, including the 18:2 estimate from 3.924 to 1.962 g. A different brand with added oils may have another profile. Use the actual formulation when available rather than transferring this unfortified reference to every peanut spread. [1]
| Unfortified peanut butter | 18:2 estimate | ALA estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 16 g | 1.962 g | 0.004 g |
| 32 g | 3.924 g | 0.009 g |
Sources for this article
- USDA FoodData Central — SR Legacy April 2018 composition and portion tables
Source consulted: 2026-09-20. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product. - Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact Sheet
Source consulted: 2026-09-20. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.