Sustainable Palm Oil

Sustainable palm oil is vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palm trees. It is grown in tropical regions, primarily Southeast Asia. The oil is extracted from the fleshy pulp of the fruit and can be refined or unrefined.

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient used in many processed foods. It functions as a fat or oil, providing texture and stability in baked goods like cookies and cakes, and acting as an emulsifier in products like snack bars. Its semi-solid state at room temperature makes it useful in a wide range of products.

Palm oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is a source of saturated fat, and like other fats high in saturated fat, high intake may be associated with increased LDL cholesterol levels. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated palm oil. Evidence on the health effects of palm oil consumption is mixed, with some studies suggesting potential negative impacts and others showing neutral effects, depending on the overall diet.