What products contain palm oil?
Palm oil is estimated to make up about 50% of household products.
Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. The palm fruit yields both palm oil and palm kernel oil. Palm oil is extracted and used to create oil and derivatives for food, cosmetics and biofuels. The two main species with the largest impact on habitat loss are the two main species of oil palm tree; Elaeis guineensis, native to West Africa and Elaeis oleifera, native to Central and South America which are now some of the main drivers for deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia and accounts for 85% of global palm oil production. These are the key ingredient focus currently for Orangutan Alliance Palm Oil Free Certification.
Palm oil is highly abundant in the global marketplace. Three-quarters of total palm oil produced is used for food, particularly cooking oil and processed oils and fats. It is also used in cosmetics, cleaning products and biofuel. It is estimate that only 20% of palm oil produced is sustainable palm oil while 80% remains as unsustainable (ICUN).
