Here’s a list of some products which contain palm oil. I’m sure there’s a lot more out there, but it’s hard to tell because many manufacturers say their products have “vegetable oil” rather than calling out palm oil explicitly. Anyway, I urge you to take a look at this list - I’ll bet all of you have at least a few of these products in your homes today. Here are just a FEW of the things that I have at home (or consume regularly) that have palm oil: Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chunk Granola Bars, Lindt truffles, Pepperidge Farms Pirouettes, Kellogg’s Eggos Waffles… (OK, I know I just listed off a lot of items containing chocolate - now you know I have a big sugar problem.)
So, what can you do to help? Well, I personally don’t believe the answer is in boycotting these products altogether as this may have a long term negative impact on the people indigenous to those areas where palm oil is produced. Instead, we need to pressure these companies to be more environmentally responsible. New standards and regulations should be put in place to minimize (and hopefully eliminate) environmental destruction.
Feel the need to do more? Write directly to manufacturers - believe it or not, these companies do listen (sometimes). Or, consider getting involved with support organizations such as Greenpeace, which is increasing consumer attention and awareness of the problems of palm oil production.
0 Responses to “Palm Oil - it’s everywhere!”