Palm oil & alternatives: Sustainable sourcing

Palm oil is often used in the food and cosmetic industries. Many users have concerns about its environmental impact. This is making many users switch to alternative vegetable oils. Imports of vegetable oils are increasing in Europe. This is providing opportunities for exporters in developing countries. But buyers will ask questions about sustainable sourcing. They want to know whether the oils are better for the environment. In recent years, palm oil has received negative attention. This is because of its link to deforestation in South-East Asia. The media has reported about loss of virgin forests in Indonesia. These reports show that the orangutan and other species are endangered. A growing number of food and cosmetic companies are looking for alternatives. Palm oil and its derivatives are used in over half of all food products and over 70,000 cosmetic products. In 2018, the UK retail chain Iceland announced the removal of palm oil from all its private-label products. Coop Italy ...