“No Palm Oil”: A Marketing Gimmick?

Misconceptions about palm oil's health and environmental impact persist. Scientific evidence supports its safe consumption and sustainable production practices.

In India, some food and cosmetic brands proudly label their products as "No Palm Oil", resulting in consumers believing that avoiding palm oil means a healthier product and a more environmentally conscious choice.

However, these claims are misleading and not substantiated with scientific evidence!

Palm oil is one of the 17 edible oils recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Several global food safety authorities have confirmed that moderate consumption of palm oil is no worse than that of other cooking oils. The key, as with any ingredient, is moderation and balance. Credible nutritional studies showed that palm oil does not raise cholesterol levels in the body. In addition, major palm oil producing countries have put in place policies and legislative frameworks to produce palm oil in a sustainable manner. Therefore, palm oil is neither bad for your health, nor for the environment when sourced responsibly.

In this article, we will explore some facts about palm oil to help consumers to make the informed choice.

The Truth About Palm Oil and Health

Palm oil has been negatively perceived as an unhealthy vegetable oil, primarily due to its saturated fatty acids content. But this is the important detail most people overlook, that is, not all saturated fatty acids behave the same way in the body. Palm oil contains nearly equal amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including about 40% heart-friendly monounsaturated fatty acids and 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Unlike seed oils, palm oil is naturally semi-solid at room temperature and therefore, for use as a solid fat component, does not require hydrogenation, thus avoiding the formation of trans fatty acids. In order for seed oils to mimic the same properties of palm oil for various applications, seed oils require various processing, including partial-hydrogenation, which can cause the formation of trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids have been proven scientifically to have detrimental effects on health.

Additionally, red palm oil, an alternative palm oil which is refined using a mild processing technology, is rich with antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which contribute to heart health, brain function, and skin nourishment.

From a culinary perspective, palm oil is neutral in flavour with a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying and baking. In contrast, oils with lower smoke points break down faster when heated, producing harmful compounds that affect both nutritional value and flavour.

Palm Oil and Sustainability: Facts You’re Not Told

One of the biggest misconceptions about palm oil is the negative allegation that oil palm cultivation contributes to deforestation. It should be noted that the deforestation occurred in almost every country in the world during the early stages of socio-economic development similar to the development in many developed countries in the past. Today, the sustainability initiatives and efforts by palm oil producing countries have transformed that industry, and continue to progress in the positive direction, making palm oil one of the most sustainable vegetable oils available.

The Governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, the world’s two largest producers of palm oil, have implemented strict regulations to tackle deforestation and conservation of forest and biodiversity, as well as to ensure sustainable production of palm oil. The two countries have prohibited the expansion of land for new oil palm cultivation.

The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) are mandatory national certification schemes for sustainable palm oil, making palm oil the only vegetable oil subject to stringent sustainable requirements. Other vegetable oils lack such mandatory schemes.

As a #YoungElaeis Ambassador, I had the opportunity to witness the development of the oil palm industry in these countries including initiatives by palm oil companies to produce palm oil in a sustainable manner, balancing the conservation of forest and biodiversity.

Further, leading palm oil producers, Indonesia and Malaysia, have embraced circular economy models, ensuring that byproducts are utilised, benefitting the environment while adding value to the supply chain. One of the approaches involving circular economy is the use of biomass in the plantations and palm oil mills. For instance, fronds are chopped up and used as mulch in the nursery. Waste from palm oil mills such as palm kernel shells (PKS) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) are repurposed for production of renewable energy. PKS is being used as a clean biomass fuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, while POME is processed into biogas, a renewable energy source that powers mills and local communities. These innovations significantly reduce the waste output of palm oil production, and reduce the use of fossil fuels, lowering costs of production.

Consumers who believe they are making a "greener" choice by avoiding palm oil should reconsider. Alternative vegetable oils like soybean oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil require far more land to produce the same amount of oil. Palm oil, on the other hand, is the most land-efficient vegetable oil crop in the world, producing more oil per hectare per year than any other plant-based oil. If the world were to replace palm oil entirely, the environmental consequences would be far worse, leading to higher land use and greater deforestation elsewhere.

Rewriting the Narrative: Informed Consumerism Over Fear-Based Marketing

The anti-palm oil rhetoric is fuelled by misinformation, rather than by scientific evidence. Instead of boycotting palm oil altogether, the focus should be on demanding sustainable sourcing from brands and producers.

It is crucial to move beyond myths and embrace an informed, fact-based decision making process for responsible consumption. The solution isn’t the elimination of palm oil but rather increasing awareness of the relevant facts and information.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dhruv Prahladka, an Agrifood trader, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation or entity.