On it's factsheet it states that palm oil was the highest consumed oil in2012 compared to 16 other oils and fats. This would suggest that consumers want this oil and are buying it by choice. This is not the case. The list of products containing palm oil is extensive and most consumers don't even know it is in the products that they buy. I know this from personal experience since my family became "palm oil free" several years ago. Once we began checking labels we were shocked to discover the products that contained palm oil. In discussions with others on this subject it is clear that the majority of people in the west are not aware of the problem or that they are a part of it by purchasing these products. According to Lucy Siegle, in an article written for The Guardian on January 18th 2015, "50% of products in the average supermarket basket" contain palm oil. The WWF website lists lipstick, pizza dough, instant noodles, shampoo, ice-cream, detergent, margarine, chocolate, cookies, biodiesel, soap, and packaged bread as some of the products containing palm oil and also lists the many names palm oil can appear under. .
While companies such as Sime Darby and Wilmar International are moving towards sustainable palm oil production, overall this is not the case. On January 22nd of this year Wilmar International Ltd., the worlds largest palm oil processor, opened its doors to the scrutiny of environmentalists and the public. This is unprecedented and encouraging. But the truth of the matter is many more companies are still using conflict palm oil. Although palm oil production is not the only cause of deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia (pulp and paper companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper also contribute to this problem), it does remain a serious, if not critical, problem in the area. While accolades should be sent to all the players in the palm oil arena who are working towards sustainable palm oil production, a stronger message should be sent to those who are not.
