Jill T Frey
What is palm oil? Palm oil is a vegetable oil which is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm. The fruits of the oil palm are about 5 cm in size and are sometimes hundreds or thousands in a bunch. The oil palm likes a nice tropical climate and therefore the plantations are often found in Malaysia, Indonesia and Sumatra. Worldwide, there are about 18 million hectares of oil palms. Per hectare, approximately 3 tonnes of oil are extracted per year. This is a lot, but the strict supervision of the plantations ensures that no deforestation of large rainforests takes place. They also make sure that the indigenous nature is preserved and protected. Very important if you value nature on this beautiful planet we call home.
No more deforestation
Everybody has seen the terrible images on television, entire rainforests being razed to the ground at a rapid pace. Various animals lose their habitats and are threatened with extinction. Deforestation is a major problem for our planet and all its inhabitants, including us. After all, the trees provide oxygen, which we need to breathe. For these reasons, the cultivation of palm oil has been put under strict supervision. The plantations must not be used as a reason for deforestation! The indigenous nature and its inhabitants must be protected and the processing of the palm oil must take place in a sustainable way.
Sustainable product
Thanks to these strict rules, you can now buy your products with peace of mind. As almost 90% of all products contain sustainably grown palm oil, you can be sure that you are not contributing to the deforestation of rainforests. Palm oil is found in so many products that it is almost impossible not to buy it. It is found in soap, biscuits, crisps, various sauces and margarine. Because palm oil is so easy to grow, it is actually a better option than other vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, soya oil, corn germ oil or rapeseed oil. These often require more space or water, or produce much less oil per hectare.
Fair palm oil
Of course, in this day and age, we no longer choose animal-based oils or fats; animals have to die for these, whereas plant-based oils have no feelings at all. A much better choice! Because there are so many people living on our planet at the same time, there is a great demand for oil. Just think of all these products nowadays that contain a lot of oil. As long as any type of oil is used, production will continue. Living and eating more minimalistic is the best choice you can make. This will reduce your ecological footprint and ensure that less needs to be grown. And for all the products you do use, you now know for sure that the palm oil has at least been sustainably cultivated. Just check the label, if you’re having doubts.
