Wednesday, July 16, 2008
By 2015 Albert Heijn and Etos will use in their private label products only palm oil that has been produced on certified oil palm plantations. The companies also have the intention to support an appeal for an immediate ban on further deforestation in Indonesia.
Through their parent company Ahold, both Albert Heijn and Etos are a member of the Round Table on Sustainable palm Oil (RSPO). It is the aim of the RSPO that in the future the industry will only process palm oil according to the criteria established by the RSPO.
Albert Heijn and Etos use palm oil in over 40% of their private label products. This raw material is present in many articles, such as health & beauty products, decorative cosmetics and food containing vegetable fats. Because much rain forest has to be cut in order to make room for palm oil plantations, the impact of palm oil production on the environment is considerable.
Choosing for sustainable, certified palm oil means proper agreements are being made with suppliers about the production of palm oil. The palm oil for Albert Heijn or Etos private label products will only purchased from plantations where the rain forest has not been cut down recently, and the suppliers must ensure that the palm oil chain is transparent.