Palm oil
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What is Palm Oil?
Palm oil is a vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of palm trees. Indonesia and Malaysia make up over 85% of the global supply but there are 42 other countries that also produce palm oil. It is an extremely versatile oil that has many different properties and functions. It is semi-solid at room temperature so it can keep spreads spreadable, it is resistant to oxidation so it can give products a longer shelf-life and it’s stable at high temperatures so it helps to give fried products a crispy and crunchy texture. It is also odorless and colorless so doesn’t alter the look or smell of food products and for these reasons, it is used in nearly everything! About 50% of the packaged products we find in supermarkets contain palm oil which you may not know because companies can use a variety of different names for Palm oil, as shown here.
Why is it Bad to Use Unsustainable Palm Oil?
Palm oil is the main cause of deforestation in some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species and putting local communities in danger. This deforestation sends millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change, while the process of obtaining it also exploits workers and children.
What You Can Do
You can be a mindful consumer by purchasing palm oil with the RSPO label or downloading the Cheyanne Mountain Zoo's Palm Oil app to scan and search for products and find out their sustainability rating. Check out the image on the left for more information about the app!
However, sustainable shopping shouldn’t be this difficult. That’s why it’s important that companies realize we want to purchase our favorite products knowing that they don't have a negative impact on the environment. Getting in touch with your favorite brands and let them know that you want them to source and produce their products in a sustainable way makes a big difference. Keep scrolling for a template you can send to companies to let them know your stance on palm oil.
Copy and paste this message in “contact us” fields of your favourite companies that are not already members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
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I am very concerned about the effects of non-sustainable palm oil production on rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia. With the current rate of deforestation, orangutans and other wildlife will be extinct in just a few years.
As a consumer of your products, I’m urging you to please begin your journey toward sustainable palm oil by making the following changes:
* Join the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). www.rspo.org.
* Use only 100% physical certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) that is deforestation- free in your products.
* When using 100% CSPO, label your products with the RSPO trademark.
Thank you!