Sustainable palm oil guide

A new guide has been launched to support and encourage food and drink manufacturers on sustainable use of the world’s most widely used vegetable oil.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched the guide to help manufacturers switch to sustainably produced palm oil. All food business operators in the UK must identify which products contain palm oil under the new EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation, which came into effect on 13 December.

Sustainable Palm Oil – Five Steps to Ensure Responsible Sourcing has been developed with Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) and provides a simple approach to mapping the use of palm oil; guidance on key risks and opportunities and tips for developing a time-bound commitment and roadmap to sourcing certified sustainable palm oil.

Director general at the FDF, Melanie Leech, says, “As global demand for palm oil is rising rapidly and consumers are increasingly seeking reassurance that the products they buy have been sustainably sourced, it makes good business sense to assess your use of this vital ingredient.

“Many of our members have long-standing public commitments to source 100% certified sustainable palm oil and we have seen continued progress in the last year with a growing number of companies having successfully achieved their original commitments. Leading manufacturers have announced revised commitments and action plans to source 100% traceable oil that exceeds Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification standards.

“We hope that this new guide will help food and drink manufacturers of all sizes plan a strategic and actionable approach to sourcing palm oil more sustainably.”