ICynosure: Food and Drink

As humans, the biggest mistake we make is believing anything and everything we read and hear. However, another problem lies in the fact that we fail to ask questions to understand better and resign with the thought that we can do nothing about it.

One such topic we are ignorant about is Palm Oil… believing every myth about the environmental and social problems, including deforestation, child labour, forest fires and climate change that have been formed over many years. However how true are these assertions about the world’s most consumed edible oil? I wrote in detail about everything we need to know about Palm Oil in an earlier article here.

In a webcast organised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, industry expert Bhavna Shah strived to create awareness about Palm Oil and debunked some common myths.

Myth #1: Palm Oil causes Deforestation

As per the latest European Commission report, deforestation can be both human and natural. Livestock ranching, agriculture expansion, logging, paper production, mining, urban sprawl, wildfire and climate change are among the largest contributors and the global share of palm oil plantation that causes deforestation accounts for only 2.3%.

Myth #2: Palm Oil requires large-scale Plantations

Palm trees grow on both large-scale plantations as well as small-scale family farms. Almost 40% of the palm oil production is undertaken by small-scale family farms, especially in Malaysia making it both poverty-reducing and economically progressing.

Myth #3: Palm Oil is Unhealthy

Palm Oil is a cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free vegetable oil with a composition of 50% saturated and 50% unsaturated fatty acids. It is a naturally reddish-orange oil that also contains high beta-carotene content, a natural dietary supply of vitamin A and E that help prevent chronic diseases and supports brain health.

Myth #4: Palm Oil engages Child Labour

Palm Oil is produced in a responsible manner that respects social norms ensuring a multi-pronged push via labour laws and effective implementation. Also with the farm-to-fork approach, each step of the cycle is mapped ensuring the policies are followed to make a lasting social update.

Myth #5: Palm Oil is only used in Food

Palm Oil is more versatile than any edible oil. It is used in almost all industries including personal care and cosmetics, biofuel and energy, pharmaceutical, industrial and many more. Almost all everyday products like food items, cosmetics, candles, soap, shampoo, detergent, biodiesel, and more than half the products in the supermarket have palm oil as an important ingredient.

Having said this, it is true that not all Palm Oil production is sustainable and produced organically. However, the attention needs to shift from the blame game to educating people.

Until next time,

~ Heena

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Disclaimer:

This article is written in partnership with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council to create awareness about Palm Oil, its history and way forward. The views expressed are independent and unbiased observations made by the blogger and the council bears no responsibility for the same.

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3 comments

Palm Oil, one of the most magical ingredients available to mankind today, is present in almost 90% of products we consume. However, just as fame comes at a price, Palm Oil’s popularity comes with a huge debate with an equal number of people for and against it for varied reasons. Unfortunately, those who vote against it, have only seen one side of the PALM without attempting to see the picture in totality. I have consistently followed the highs and lows of Palm Oil, including it’s rising demand over the years, questions surrounding its impact on health, and the hue and cry around its sustainability. With this article, I wish to debunk some myths surrounding Palm Oil, so consumers can fearlessly make an informed choice whether for or against it.

So to the layman first up is the oblivious query, What is Palm Oil?

The answer to this is pretty simple, Palm Oil just like any other oil is made from the fruit of the tree, in this case, the Oil Palm which originally grew in Africa, then was harvested in countries with tropical weather like Indonesia and Malaysia.

So the pressing next question followed is, How is it used?

Palm Oil contains antioxidants and beta-carotenes, and has a mid-range smoke point with a nutty taste that makes it perfect for cooking, especially baking, sautéing and medium heat frying. Palm Oil also contains high saturated fat along with high lauric acid making it an ideal ingredient for personal care products such as soaps, lotions, cosmetics and household cleaning products. It is also used as biodiesel.

Since it is present in almost all aspects of life there is a raging debate on its effect on wellness. Let’s not forget that today Palm Oil is an indispensable part of our lives, with the WWF estimating it as an important ingredient in 90% of all supermarket products used. This huge magnitude opens up a continuous debate about the effects of Palm Oil on overall health and wellness. Thankfully there have been numerous studies conducted by respectable international bodies that reaffirm a positive effect on the health, thereby ascertaining the nutritional benefits as well.

Research shows that each tablespoon of Palm Oil contains 119 calories, 13.5-gram fat and 2.2-milligram Vitamin C, which help reduce the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, raise good HDL cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart attack and improve the immune system. Additionally, the antioxidants contained in Palm Oil offer many benefits to skin and hair health, including protecting cells from UV radiation and toxins.

So you must be asking yourself, if Palm Oil is so healthy and versatile, what’s all the debate surrounding it?

Well, honestly I find it rather amusing, for it seems like a smear campaign to discredit Palm Oil. Among the numerous non-validated arguments, one of the major accusations that detractors talk about is how the Oil Palm crop is not sustainably grown and wreaks havoc on the environment, animals and communities. This argument is usually followed by a constant call to substitute Palm Oil with other alternatives including rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, coconut oil, etc.

However, the individuals who push for this change are unaware of the fact that the Oil Palm crop uses less land, fewer pesticides and fertilizers to produce than its counterpart. Now to put this in numbers, as per the research conducted by The Oil Palm, to produce 150 million tonnes of oil; 38 million hectares of oil palm will be required. However, to produce the same 150 million tonnes of oil, the need will be of 187 million hectares of rapeseed or 250 million hectares of sunflower or 375 million hectares of soybean, which clearly is more than thrice the land and so hence water, pesticides, fertiliser all resources will be greater than that for Oil Palm. So now the crucial question must be asked, Which crop would be able to match the climate and environmental sustainability of Oil Palm? As outlined above all alternative oilseed crops have a much larger negative impact on the environment and imbalance the metrics to a far greater extent.

But as the world population grows, the need for food, requirement for products, etc is rapidly growing. And to ensure that the need for food and other livelihood products is met, the best option currently is Palm Oil. Having said that, it’s no surprise that to cater to the rapid demand, the industry has pushed its boundaries to supply it. Unfortunately, an influx of Oil Palm plantations have sprung up all around the world, of which some are ethically planned while many are unethically seeded which creates doubt about sustainable and impact. To correct the wrong, many checks and balances have been put in place by the industry body, which enables the industry to head in the right direction.

However, the buck doesn't stop with the industry, but it does extend to us. As consumers who are aware of our individual responsibilities, we need to ask the tough questions, voice our opinions, pressurise for use of ethical ingredients, and join movements like Palm Done Right to be a part of this revolution and support those who are leading the change for a better tomorrow.

Until next time,

~ Heena

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