How to avoid palm oil in the UK?

According to The Wildlife Trusts, palm oil is present in up to half of all packaged products found in UK supermarkets, including 71% of food products. This widespread use makes avoiding it a challenge for many ethical shoppers. Navigating food labels and consumer goods to identify and avoid palm oil in the UK requires a keen eye and some expert knowledge, which this guide aims to provide.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical steps for UK consumers to identify and avoid palm oil in groceries and cosmetics, outlining how to read labels for hidden names and spotlighting certified sustainable and palm oil-free brands.

Key Points

• Hidden Ingredients: Palm oil can be disguised as 'vegetable oil' with high saturated fat content or as chemical derivatives using root words like 'laur', 'stear', or 'glyc'.

• Sustainable vs. Free: A total boycott isn't always the most sustainable option due to palm oil's high yield; supporting RSPO-certified products is often recommended by environmental groups like the WWF and ZSL.

• UK Retailer Performance: Some UK retailers like Sainsbury's and M&S are high performers on WWF's sustainable palm oil scorecard, demonstrating stronger commitments to responsible sourcing.

• Label Transparency: While EU law mandates clear labelling for food, it doesn't cover all derivatives or cosmetics, so checking for alternative names is crucial.

• Palm Oil Free Brands: Websites like Ethical Consumer and specialist retailers provide curated lists of brands that are verified palm oil-free across various categories, from food to cosmetics.

• Effective Alternatives: Common cooking alternatives include sunflower, rapeseed, and olive oil, while coconut or shea butter can be used in cosmetic and bakery substitutes.

Understanding the UK's Palm Oil Landscape

Palm oil's versatility and low cost mean it is used in a vast array of products, from biscuits and margarine to cleaning products and cosmetics. The rapid expansion of oil palm plantations, particularly in Southeast Asia, has been linked to significant deforestation, habitat loss for endangered species, and increased carbon emissions.

While this environmental impact is a major concern, it's also important to understand the complexities. Boycotting palm oil entirely may not be the optimal solution, as the oil palm is an incredibly efficient crop, producing more oil per hectare than alternatives like sunflower or rapeseed oil. A complete boycott could simply shift demand to less efficient oils, potentially leading to even greater land use for cultivation. For this reason, many environmental organizations, like the WWF and ZSL, advocate for supporting certified sustainable palm oil (RSPO) while also reducing overall consumption.

Deciphering Food Labels: Identifying Hidden Palm Oil

One of the biggest hurdles for UK consumers is that palm oil is often disguised under generic or confusing names on ingredient lists. While EU law requires food products to label palm oil explicitly, derivatives can still be hidden. This makes diligent label-reading a necessity for those committed to avoiding it.

Common Aliases for Palm Oil

• Vegetable Oil/Fat: If a product lists generic 'vegetable oil' and has a high saturated fat content (over 40%), it likely contains palm oil.
• Words containing 'Palm': Obvious derivatives include Sodium Palmate, Palmitic Acid, and Palm Kernel Oil.
• Derivatives with 'Laur', 'Stear', 'Glyc': Look for ingredients such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Stearic Acid, and Glyceryl Stearate.
• Emulsifiers: Certain E-numbers, such as Emulsifier 422, 430-436, and 470-478, can be palm-derived.
• Scientific Name: The scientific name for the oil palm, Elaeis Guineensis, may also appear.

Finding Palm Oil-Free and Sustainably Sourced Products

Several UK brands and retailers are making it easier for consumers to make ethical choices. Some have committed to using only certified sustainable palm oil, while others have removed it entirely from certain product lines.

Comparison of Palm Oil Sourcing Policies (UK Supermarkets)

Retailer	Sourcing Policy (Based on recent WWF reports)	Key Brands/Initiatives	Consumer Action
Sainsbury's	Top-tier; committed to 100% physically certified RSPO, with high use of segregated palm oil.	Plan for Better, investment in landscape initiatives.	Support their own-brand products; check for RSPO logo.
M&S	Top-tier; high commitment to segregated, sustainably sourced palm oil.	Plan A roadmap for sustainable sourcing.	Focus on M&S own-brand for high assurance.
Tesco	Mid-tier; good progress but more to do on transparency, especially for animal feed.	Involved in industry initiatives.	Check labels; pressure for more transparency on derivatives.
Co-op	Top-tier; committed to sustainably sourced palm oil.	Strong ethical brand focus.	Choose Co-op own-brand products.
Ethical Consumer	Lists palm oil-free brands across many categories.	Independent verification and lists for ethical shopping.	Use their website for comprehensive lists of brands.

Practical Steps to Avoid Palm Oil

1. Become a Label Detective: Memorise the common aliases for palm oil and check ingredient lists meticulously, especially for processed foods, cosmetics, and cleaning products.
2. Use Ethical Shopping Apps: Tools like the PalmOil Scan app allow you to check product barcodes for their RSPO certification status.
3. Prioritise Whole Foods: By cooking with raw, unprocessed ingredients, you have full control over what goes into your meals. Focus on fresh fruit, vegetables, and ethically sourced meats.
4. Explore Palm Oil-Free Brands: UK retailers like Ethical Superstore and Ocado offer filtered search options for palm oil-free products. Check specialised ethical consumer sites for comprehensive lists of trusted brands.
5. Choose Certified Sustainable: When avoiding palm oil entirely isn't possible (e.g., for certain derivatives), opt for products bearing the RSPO logo. This indicates that the oil has been produced to a set of sustainability standards, although critics note limitations.
6. Switch to Alternatives: Use palm oil alternatives in your cooking and baking. Good substitutes include olive oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil. For non-food items, look for brands using alternatives like shea butter or algae oil.

Conclusion

Avoiding palm oil in the UK is a multi-faceted process that goes beyond simply reading labels. By understanding the complexity of sourcing, educating yourself on hidden ingredients, and supporting companies committed to either going palm oil-free or using fully sustainable sources, UK consumers can make a real difference. While the challenge is considerable, consumer pressure and awareness are driving positive changes across the industry, proving that conscious shopping can be a powerful tool for environmental change. Remember to celebrate progress, support ethical companies, and use your voice to advocate for greater transparency and sustainability. For more in-depth brand information and company ratings, visit the Ethical Consumer website.(https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/palm-oil/palm-oil-free-list)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary reason to avoid palm oil?

Unsustainable palm oil production is a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions, leading to habitat loss for endangered species like orangutans and contributing significantly to climate change through carbon emissions.

Are 'vegetable oil' or 'vegetable fat' always palm oil?

Not always, but they often contain it. For UK food products, 'palm oil' should be explicitly labelled. However, in non-food items, or for derivatives, it can be listed generically. Checking the saturated fat content can be a clue; high levels may indicate palm oil.

How reliable is RSPO certification?

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) sets standards for sustainable production. While seen as an essential tool by some, critics like Greenpeace argue that the standards could be stronger and not all participants fully meet their commitments. Look for segregated RSPO-certified products for a higher degree of assurance.

Can I trust 'palm oil free' labels on products?

'Palm oil free' claims are often used for marketing purposes and don't necessarily guarantee a more sustainable or healthy product, as alternatives may require more land for production. However, dedicated ethical brands committed to the cause often use them sincerely.

What are some practical alternatives to palm oil for cooking and cosmetics?

For cooking, you can use sunflower, olive, or rapeseed oil. In cosmetics and baking, alternatives like shea butter, coconut oil, or cocoa butter are commonly used by palm oil-free brands.

Is it better to switch to an alternative oil or use sustainable palm oil?

Many environmental groups argue that opting for RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil is a better overall environmental outcome than a mass switch to alternatives, as oil palm is a very high-yielding crop. This reduces the total land area required for oil production. A dual approach of reducing overall consumption and choosing certified products is often best.

How can I check if a non-food product contains palm oil derivatives?

Checking non-food products is more challenging due to less stringent labelling laws. Look for common derivative names like Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS), Stearic Acid, and Glycerine. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer or consult ethical consumer lists for verified palm oil-free brands.