Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Each year, Australia imports approximately 130,000 tons of palm oil and is found in around 50 percent of all packaged foods on Australian shelves. Most people often aren’t even aware they are eating it as companies often names on their labelling such as;
- Sodium Laureth Sulphate (Can also be from coconut)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphates (Can also be from ricinus oil)
- Sodium dodecyl Sulphate (SDS or NaDS)
The use of unsustainable palm oil is having devastating effects on the environment.
An area of forest equal to 300 soccer fields is being destroyed every hour. Palm oil typically costs the lives of up to 50 orang-utans each week. And if they do survive, the babies are often taken as pets and their mothers killed.
With the proper labeling of Palm oil, consumers can push for a market of certified sustainable palm oil. This will mean controlled use of palm oil and no devastating effects on the environment and wildlife.