UK food and drink industry welcomes sustainable palm oil sourcing

The food and drink industry, which is the UK's largest manufacturing sector, has signed up to a national statement pledging to work with other industries on sourcing 100% sustainable palm oil by 2015.

Food and Drink Federation (FDF) members understand the need for collaborative efforts between sectors to support and promote this common aim. Many leading food and drink manufacturers are active members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and have made substantial progress towards their aim of using only certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) bought via RSPO-approved trading systems.

“Many food and drink manufacturers have in place long-standing commitments to using 100% certified sustainable palm oil and the national statement is an important step towards a wider reassurance for consumers that the products they enjoy contain oil from environmentally friendly sources,” says FDF director of sustainability Andrew Kuyk.

“We have seen significant progress towards achieving this aim since the first shipment of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil arrived in November 2008 and we believe the joint agreement will encourage increased uptake by British industry.”

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