Manufacturers are no longer able to hide the presence of palm oil in their food labels. This gives US the power to check whether the products we buy on a daily basis contain palm oil and enables us to choose our purchases wisely.
BIAZA is working to support our zoos and aquariums in developing their own sustainable palm oil policy, and we have produced guidelines to help. But you can now make a difference as well!
Palm oil is one of the most widely used ingredients in the world, and its production is driven by consumer demand for a broad range of products, including foodstuffs, cosmetics, cleaning products, and fuel.
Production of palm oil however can have serious negative environmental and social impacts. Millions of hectares of tropical rainforest have been destroyed in recent years – most notably in Malaysia and Indonesia, and more recently in West Africa – to make way for oil palm plantations.
This large-scale deforestation has huge implications for climate change as well as for many native species, including tigers and orangutans, which are being pushed closer to extinction as their habitat is destroyed and they come into increasing conflict with humans.
Palm oil production also causes social conflict when small farmers, local communities, and indigenous peoples lose the rights to their land. There have also been numerous reports of workers’ rights being violated by plantation owners.
So check your labels before you buy! If you're not sure then get in touch with the product manufacturer, and let them know that sustainable palm oil and the protection of precious habitats and species is important to their customers! Check out our leaflet for more information.
