Palm oil has gained advocates looking to make the industry more sustainable and traceable. These companies have been given high palm oil sustainability ratings.
Dr. Bronner's
Established in 1948, Dr. Bronner's brand is famously known for its castile soap recipes. They have since grown their line to include hair care, home and laundry products, toothpaste, and more.
The company has been transparent in its sourcing of palm oil, which is used in many of the company's products, including their popular soap bars.
A 2016 report from the company shared that their palm oil is sourced from 500 small, family-owned, organic farms in Africa. They are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) — stating that their palm oil sourcing has not perpetuated illegal, unsustainable palm agriculture, which often results in deforestation.
ConAgra Foods
ConAgra Foods is a multi-billion dollar company producing many products you see on supermarket shelves. Their widely known products include those from Duncan Hines, Slim Jim, Reddi-Wip, Pam, Earth Balance, Gardein, and more.
Most if not all of their products use palm oil as an ingredient or additive to preserve shelf life, texture, and freshness. However, ConAgra reached 100% sustainable palm oil in their products in 2020, as verified by the RSPO.
Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine specializes in non-toxic hygiene products like deodorant and toothpaste. The brand has admitted its products contain palm oil to ensure their products glide on the skin. Palm oil combines well with other ingredients, making it their choice of additive for their toothpaste.
The company has partnered with the RSPO to become a sustainable palm oil advocate and has said doing so aligns with their company values of environmental and human health.
Kellogg's
Kellogg's has been a leader in food manufacturing since 1906. Famously known for their variety of cereals, granola bars, cookies, chips, and more, Kellogg's generated $12.4 billion in revenue in 2021.
Since 2015, the company has maintained a 100% traceability commitment. Meaning, the palm oil used in their products can be traced and verified as not perpetuating deforestation and illegal palm oil operations. Kellogg's is arguably the most transparent major producer of products in the United States.
Hershey's
Palm oil is a major ingredient in chocolate products. Hershey's is a leading chocolate producer, with well-known smaller brands within their umbrella company, including Cadbury, Heath, Reese's, and Rolo.
Based on the RSPO 2019 report, Hershey's palm oil is 95-100% traceable, coming from sustainable sources across the globe.
Key Takeaways
- The RSPO generates reports on companies' palm oil sustainability each year.
- Traceability is the main factor in determining a company's palm oil responsibility.
- Supporting companies who use sustainable palm oil in their products can help fight against deforestation.
