ON THE CONTRARY, PALM OIL IS HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE

The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) is deeply concerned with the unfounded allegations against palm oil published in the article entitled “Palm oil is bad for your health” authored by ep, published on 16 June 2023 on USLIFESTYLER (www.uslifestyler.com). In this regard, we are writing to correct the misconception and providing science-based evidence about the health advantages and sustainable production of palm oil for the information and benefits of consumers.

The author alleged that palm oil is unhealthy without substantiating with scientific evidence. It was claimed palm oil is high in saturated fat that raises the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol levels in blood. However, the author recommended coconut fat as an alternative! Coconut fat is also high in saturated fat with at least 80%. Thus, it is clear that the comments by the author is biased and unjustifiable. The allegations that associate palm oil with negative health effects are also unfounded and without basis.

Palm oil is one of the 17 major oils and fats recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Palm oil contains a balanced proportion of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, namely 50% saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid, C16:0) and 50% unsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic acid, C18:1 (40%) and linoleic acid, C18:2 (10%). Palm oil is mainly consumed as a cooking oil in the liquid form, palm olein, which contains a higher amount of unsaturation.

Scientific evidence from credible research institutions worldwide has proven the nutritional benefits of palm oil. There is no adverse effect from palm oil and palmitic acid on cholesterol. The nutritional studies in Australia, India, China and Malaysia showed that palm oil does not raise cholesterol levels and behaves more like a monounsaturated oil, like olive. Numerous human clinical trials have shown that palm olein and olive oil have similar effects on fasting plasma lipids. Please refer to Figure 1 on the human studies on long term intake of palm olein and unsaturated oils.

Source: MPOB (2017) Pocketbook of Oil Palm Uses 
Figure 1: Human studies on long term intake of palm olein and unsaturated oils

In terms of sustainability, the author associated the oil palm cultivation with deforestation of rainforests which destroy the habitat of endangered species. The author claimed that the soil of the oil palm cultivated areas is damaged that it is often no longer possible to grow oil palms after just one harvest. The author also claimed that the areas cannot regenerate themselves to become rainforest again.

These unfounded allegations by the author demonstrated the ignorance of the author about the oil palm industry in particular, the oil palm plantations. Firstly, the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a perennial crop and has an economic life of 25 years. The palm oil is obtained from processing of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), which are harvested from the oil palm trees. Each oil palm tree can be harvested every 10 days as FFB ripen at different times. Thus, FFB can be harvested all year round, making oil palm the most efficient vegetable oil crop as compared with other vegetable oils.

Palm oil is produced in a sustainable manner particularly in enhancing producing without opening new land for oil palm cultivation. The productivity is enhanced through good agricultural practices (GAP). Both Indonesia and Malaysia, two largest palm oil producing countries in the world, have put in place policies and measures to ensure the conservation of forests and biodiversity while balancing the production of palm oil with socio-economic development. In addition, the data made available on the website of World Resources Institute, reported that Indonesia and Malaysia have managed to achieve the declining rate of primary forest loss for the fifth straight year.

Palm oil is the only vegetable oil being subjected to the most stringent certification requirements vis-à-vis other vegetable oils. The readily available certified sustainable palm oil is certified sustainable using international recognised certification scheme such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as well as mandatory national schemes including Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification scheme and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme.

The author also alleged that human rights violations occur again and again, for example when indigenous peoples or smallholders are driven from their homes. Firstly, Indonesia and Malaysia, have ratified the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) which demonstrate the commitment of the palm oil-producing countries to eradicate forced labour.

Secondly, the oil palm industry plays a key role in uplifting the living standards and enhancing the wellbeing of the oil palm smallholders. The palm industry is important for the socio-economic development of palm oil producing countries. The oil palm industry has successfully lowered the poverty level among rural farmers including smallholders, generated productive employment and job opportunities, ensured food security, and contributed to energy security. More importantly, the palm oil sector has a positive correlation with the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Therefore, this further emphasised the lack of understanding and awareness of the author about the oil palm industry as well as the importance of the industry for the smallholders especially for poverty eradication.

The stakeholders of the oil palm industry continue to work together to ensure continuous improvement of the industry considering the dynamics of the global development but at the same time, ensuring our sovereignty rights for development, balancing the various aspects of the sustainability.

As a conclusion, what can consumers do when shopping? When shopping, consumers should look for products containing certified sustainable palm oil.