superfood snapshot: everything you want to know about red palm oil, part ii

We recently wrote a post called, “Superfood Snapshot: Everything You Want to Know About Red Palm Oil.” Since the post provided a wealth of beneficial information for our fans and customers, we received many follow up comments and interest for wanting to know even more. We heard you, we listened, and today we have put together even more valuable information around red palm oil.

what is conflict palm oil?

Conflict palm oil is palm oil derived from plantations that destroy the forest. It is, “produced under conditions associated with the ongoing destruction of rainforests, expansion on carbon-rich peatlands, and/or human rights violations, including the failure to recognize and respect the customary land rights of forest-dependent communities and the use of forced labor and child labor.” (Source)

what are some alternate names for palm oil?

You’ll be surprised to learn that palm oil goes by many different names, and has a way of sneaking into common household products like detergent and shampoo. If you’re like us, reading labels and paying attention to ingredients at the grocery store, here is what to be on the lookout for when it comes to alternate names for palm oil (Note: most of these will be found in processed, packaged foods and cosmetics). (Source)

• Vegetable Oil
• Vegetable Fat
• Palm Kernel
• Palm Kernel Oil
• Palm Fruit Oil
• Palmate
• Palmitate
• Palmolein
• Glyceryl
• Stearate
• Stearic Acid
• Elaeis Guineensis
• Palmitic Acid
• Palm Stearine
• Palmitoyl Oxostearamide
• Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Kernelate
• Sodium Palm Kernelate
• Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate
• Hydrated Palm Glycerides
• Etyl Palmitate
• Octyl Palmitate
• Palmityl Alcohol

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To learn even more, click HERE to get the official report from the Rainforest Action Network on palm oil and how U.S. snack food brands are contributing to orangutan extinction, climate change and human rights violations.

what is responsible palm oil?

Responsible palm oil, “is palm oil that is produced without contributing to deforestation, expansion on carbon-rich peatlands, and/or the violation of human and labor rights. Responsible palm oil is produced legally and can be verifiably traced back to the plantation where it was grown.” (Source)

what is the importance of rspo certification?

RSPO stands for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. The set of standards they operate from can be found HERE.

At Nutiva, we pursued RSPO certification because of our commitment to sustainability, transparency and stewardship of the planet and for humankind.

While we have the RSPO certification, our company standards go beyond the certification, as evidenced by our work with Natural Habitats™.

what does your work with natural habitats™ involve?

We partner with Natural Habitats™ to ensure that no deforestation or habitat destruction results from the growing or harvesting process. Natural Habitats seeks to empower and support farmers. Committed to the sustainable production of organic and fairly traded products, they also contribute to social development in the community through education and nutrition programs. They allocate 1% of sales to social and environmental stewardship programs. Projects have included building a small health clinic and providing sports uniforms for the local youth.

Click HERE to learn 20 more ideas for using habitat-safe, sustainable, RSPO certified Nutiva Organic Unrefined Red Palm Oil.