Food and beauty product companies see palm oil as a manufacturing miracle ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps blend ingredients together. It has no flavor or odor, and it gives products a silky texture. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably aware that when palm oil is sourced through unsustainable practices, it comes at a heavy cost to fragile ecosystems and our health. Are you committed to eliminating high-conflict products from your shopping list? These ten products usually contain palm oil or palm oil derivatives:
1. Cosmetics and shampoos
Palm oil lends luster to lipsticks, helps soften skin, and makes eyeshadows, eyeliners, and blush go on more smoothly. But you’ll be just as beautiful using alternatives, including those that use soy, grapeseed, meadowfoam, and other sustainably-sourced oils.
2. Instant noodles
According to the Rainforest Action Network, the leading ramen brand contains about 20% palm oil per package[1]. Given the worldwide popularity of instant noodles, that’s a lot of palm oil, even for manufacturers who strive to source at least a portion of their palm oil from sustainable sources.
3. Biscuits
Palm oil is one of the three essential ingredients after wheat flour and sugar in many packaged biscuit brands. While chocolates aren’t often palm oil culprits, those that contain crunchy biscuit bits are.
4. Bread and bakery products
Palm oil remains solid at room temperature and lends moistness to baked products with less greasiness. It’s also a common ingredient in frozen pizza dough.
5. Peanut butter
Palm oil prevents the natural separation of oils in many nut butters, so search for brands that use sustainable palm oil or those that contain no added emulsifiers.
6. Margarine and butter products
Because palm oil stays solid at room temperature, it’s often the go-to ingredient for margarine and shortening producers. It’s often used in inexpensive butter products. Olive oil and canola (rapeseed) margarine are more ethical options.
7. Detergents
Palm oil helps create lather, which–while it helps to lift dirt and oils–mostly appeals to the customer’s ideal of a product that “works”
8. Non-dairy substitutes
Non-dairy creamers can contain as much as 35% palm oil. You (and the planet) might be better off using the real thing if you can’t find a product containing sustainable palm oil.
9. Ice cream
The website Products Without Palm Oil says the more complex the ice cream flavor, the more likely it is to contain palm oil[2]. Fortunately, there are many popular brands committed to using only conflict-free ingredients.
10. Whipped cream
You’ve found the right ice cream, but what goes on it counts just as much. Palm oil makes it possible to enjoy smooth, fresh dessert toppings right out of a canister, so choose brands made with sustainably sourced palm oil that make your treats that much sweeter.
Tips to help you avoid high-conflict palm oil products
Now that it’s clear palm oil is lurking in the most unexpected products, you might feel like throwing your hands into the air and giving up. It’s not that bad if you follow some basic advice:
• Shop in-person whenever possible; online grocery sites don’t cater well to people who shop with dietary restrictions or preferences.
• Palm oil by any other name is still palm oil! Watch out for these ingredients[3], which may be palm oil derivatives.
• Avoid overly-processed foods and beauty products, some of which may have “hidden” ingredients inside other ingredients.
• Remember that past a certain point, soap suds are just for show! Too rich a lather not only indicates palm oil presence but a higher load of environmentally damaging nitrates… and a greater volume of water required to rinse.
• Find out which brands use ethically sourced, conflict-free palm oil. Some palm oil producers are trying to do the right thing.
• Look into an app that helps you organize your family’s shopping preferences and alert you to ingredients on your “no-buy” list.
Palm oil’s health and manufacturing benefits simply do not justify their impact on wildlife and the environment, but as common as they are, there are alternatives. Don’t forget to look for products that indicate conflict-free palm oil, so you can support companies that are doing the right thing!