Hi guys,

This is a super short blog post but it’s on a subject I feel really strongly about and want to make you aware of too.

What is Palm oil and where does it come from?

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the palm tree and originates from Western Africa.

It is added to lots of non-food products (eg cosmetics, candles, cleaning agents and fuel) and is commonly found in edible products such as chocolate spread (eg Nutella), peanut butter, frozen pizza and some processed biscuits and cakes where it acts as an emulsifier.

Why is there a problem?

Consumption of palm oil is associated with problems around the world such as deforestation, climate change, animal cruelty and habitat degradation. You may have read about how endangered species such as orangutans are losing their homes in the forests as their habitats are cut down to make more room for palm oil factories!  Neither should we ignore the human rights violations that occur, including indigenous people being driven away from their homes.

So what can you do to help?

When buying products containing palm oil, look for the word ‘sustainable’ on the label. But really, try to avoid it in all products if you can. For example, I like to buy ‘Whole Earth’ peanut butter which is palm oil free. In the case of non-food items, a wide range of chemical names may be used to disguise the use of palm oil. A quick ‘Google’ should help you to source alternatives.

I would never tell you not to buy a jar of chocolate spread or peanut butter containing palm oil again, but as awareness for the issue grows, if everyone could cut down their consumption of palm oil, it could have a really positive effect on the world.

Of course, if you are a Nutella addict, why not make a batch of my homemade Chocolate Nut Spread, the recipe for which can be found on page 204 of  my hardback book, Cook Clean with Kate. Not only does it last for weeks in the fridge, it is palm oil and refined sugar free and hugely nutritious as chocolate spreads go!!

To get this delicious recipe buy my book via AMAZON or head to my website. I hope this gave you a little insight as to the effects palm oil is having on our environment.

Love Kate x

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