Say NO to uncertified palm oil

Uncertified palm oil plantations are responsible for the unprecedented destruction of ecosystems in Indonesia and Malaysia.

So far, over nine million hectares of Indonesian rainforest has been stripped to sustain the western world’s unquenchable need for the vegetable oil, and is predicted to reach 26 million hectares by 2025.

Not only do palm oil plantations threaten the existence of the borderline-extinct Sumatran Tigers, Elephants, Orangutans, and the Malayan Tapir, but they are severely damaging to the environment, as 18% of carbon emissions are attributed to tropical deforestation.

Uncertified palm oil products litter the shelves of Australian supermarkets. With the approval of Food Standards Australia, companies like Unilever and Procter & Gamble (P&G) hide the true ingredients behind pseudonyms, masking their unsustainable practices behind vegetable oil, vegetable fat, humectant and emulsifier 471.

Without clear labelling, consumers are lost. Thankfully, Palm Oil Investigations has created a list of uncertified palm oil products and certified alternatives; here’s a rundown of the top 5.

1. Tim Tams

If it’s a chocolate craving you have, then it’s Cadbury Dairy Milk Blocks for you, but be mindful, Caramello, Peppermint and Snack blocks contain uncertified palm oil.

2. Kelloggs Fruit Loops, Mini Wheats and Sultana Bran

The Breakfast of Champions provides a palm oil free option in Crispy Grains, Crunchy Nut Bites, Crumble Bites and the plain Weet-Bix.

3. Pantene, Dove and Sunsilk

Palm Oil Investigations has found no hair care products free of palm oil, and consumers will have to wait 5 years before any P&G hair care products contain certified palm oil as they commit to a no deforestation strategy.

4. Lynx Deodorant

There’s no excuse for pungent body odours with the Rexona Spray alternative.

5. Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid

Earth Choice makes a certified dishwashing liquid, as well as laundry and cleaning alternatives.

To further help consumers with environmentally sound and certified choices, Palm Oil Investigations are releasing a barcode scanner app for smart phones sometime between the 22nd of June and the  6th of July. Till the release of the app, you can peruse their list of certified and uncertified palm oil products.

Text by Hannah Quill