Palm oil in food, good or not?
Recently I noticed lots of food brands now highlight “palm-oil free” on their packaging, while on social media, people often criticize well-known brands for using palm oil to reduce production costs.
So, why do people avoid palm oil, and how can we choose healthier oils for our bodies?
🌴 Why do people avoid Palm Oil?
Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world — found in everything from cookies and chocolate to shampoo and lipstick. However, it has become a controversial ingredient for several reasons related to environmental impact, health, and ethics.
🌍 Environmental Damage
The biggest reason behind the anti–palm oil movement is deforestation. 🌳
To produce palm oil, vast areas of tropical rainforests, mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia — are cleared to make room for palm plantations. This leads to:
Massive loss of biodiversity (especially endangering orangutans, tigers, and elephants 🐘)
Greenhouse gas emissions from burning forests
Soil and water pollution
In short, the low price of palm oil often comes at a high environmental cost.
🧍 Health Concerns
Palm oil contains about 50% saturated fat, which is higher than most other vegetable oils.
Overconsumption may increase cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease 🫀.
During high-temperature processing, palm oil can produce potentially harmful compounds like 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters.
Actually, small amounts in a balanced diet are generally considered safe — the problem lies in excessive use by the food industry. ⚠️
🤝 Ethical and Social Issues
Palm oil plantations are sometimes linked to poor working conditions, land conflicts, and child labor in certain regions.
These ethical concerns have pushed many conscious consumers and NGOs to demand fair and sustainable sourcing.
🌻Instead - How to choose the oil for body health?
1. Check the fat type
Monounsaturated Fat (MUFA): Best for heart health ✅
Olive oil (extra virgin), avocado oil, peanut oil
Anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol, protects blood vessels
Polyunsaturated Fat (PUFA) : Essential fatty acids (Omega-3 & Omega-6) ✅
Canola oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil
Improves blood lipid profile, supports brain and eye healthSaturated Fat (SFA): Should be limited ⚠️
Palm oil, coconut oil, butter
Use in moderation; avoid excessive high-temperature cooking
2. Cook in the right temperature
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Low to medium-heat cooking, salades
Avocado Oil - High-heat cooking, frying, roasting
Canola Oil - General cooking
Peanut Oil - Frying and stir-frying
Coconut oil, Butter - Baking & pastries
Although the European Union 🇪🇺 does not have strict regulations specifically limiting the use of palm oil, its long-term environmental impact is significant. Large-scale palm oil production leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. For consumers, choosing oils wisely—not only for health but also for sustainability—can make a difference. 🌱
Sources:
Nestlé CEO: We must become ‘the best marketers in the industry’ to drive growth
https://www.marketingweek.com/nestle-best-marketers-industry-growth/?utm_source=chatgpt.com&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Food brands in France ‘hiding’ palm oil as ingredient
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/food-brands-in-france-hiding-palm-oil-as-ingredient/376136
Choosing and Using Cooking Oils: What To Use and When
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-choose-and-use-healthy-cooking-oils
