Ukraine restricts the use of palm oil in food products

Today, on September 4, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading and in general a draft law that bans the use of palm oil in food, including baby food (No. 5148). According to the parliament’s website, the draft law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Improving the Quality of Food Products Consumed by Children” was supported by 293 MPs. “The draft law proposes to amend the Law of Ukraine ‘On Milk and Dairy Products’ and clarify that palm oil, along with other fats and proteins of non-dairy origin, is prohibited for use in the production of traditional dairy products. It is also proposed to prohibit the use of hydrogenated palm oil and hydrogenated vegetable fats, sesame seed oil and/or flax seed oil, gluten, as well as ingredients produced with the use of pesticides in the production of baby food,” the explanatory note to the document says. In addition, the document proposes to define the maximum content of trans fatty acids in food products, as well as ...