Samples of palm olein were irradiated with y-rays up to 12kGy. The extent ofperoxiddtion in irradiated samples was determined by conjugable oxidation products (COP) assay and the result ere compared with the UV absorbance at 232 nm. The two parameters were poorly correlated (r = 0.6321) within the range of doses used. The effect ofy-irradiation is mainly to oxidise linoleic acid (Cl8:2) as this component is the major diunsaturated fatty acid in palm oil.