The menu over the last few days has become a bit repetitive as we have been cooking some old favourites, so today we’re going to explore a different but equally important topic: Palm oil.
What is palm oil?
Palm oil is exactly that – oil extracted from palm trees. The product itself is harmless and apparently rather useful. It’s in almost everything! 50% of packaged food, bathroom & cleaning products contains it.
So what’s wrong with it?
The palm oil industry is responsible for a huge amount of deforestation, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia, where the habitat of already endangered species such as orangutans and Sumatran rhino continues to be decimated. Taking away such areas rich in biodiversity and replacing them with palm plantations is also fuelling global warming. But the problem isn’t necessarily that we consume palm oil, its the way in which it is sourced and produced. Palm oil can be made sustainable.
What can I do about it?
1) Use more fresh produce in your cooking. If you made it, you’ll know exactly what went in it! Palm oil is often used in pre-packaged products such as ready meals, sauces and snacks.
2) Buy products which are made locally and use locally sourced ingredients. This will also help reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy.
3) Buy products which contain sustainable palm oil. Look for the “RSPO” (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm oil) label. They even have a handy app that you can use whilst shopping to help you make informed choices before you buy!
4) Continue to learn and share your knowledge with other consumers to help everyone make informed decisions about where their money goes. Your purchasing power is key to driving manufacturers to making ethical decisions over financial ones. After all, if people stop buying poorly sourced products, it will become a financial decision!
Read more about Palm Oil production, products and sustainable retailers here:
WWF (World Wildlife Fund)
RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil)
Iceland
Have you checked your favourite brand’s palm oil scorecard with the WWF? What product were you surprised to learn had palm oil in? Let us know in the comments!
Day 22 Menu
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans on Seeded Toast
Lunch: Toast
Dinner: Coconut Lentil Curry, Basmati Rice & Homemade Naan Breads
Day 23 Menu
Breakfast: Banana & Mixed Spice Porridge
Lunch: Pesto Pasta
Dinner: Homemade Margherita Pizza
Day 24 Menu
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans on Seeded Toast
Lunch: Toast
Dinner: ‘Naked’ Burger & Homemade Fries
Day 25 Menu
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans on Seeded Toast
Lunch: Pesto Pasta
Dinner: Meat-Free Lasagne
Day 26 Menu
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans on Seeded Toast
Lunch: Pesto Pasta
Dinner: Thai Sea Bass, Tenderstem Broccoli & Jasmine Rice
Our Whimsical World 