Ongoing controversy surrounding the production and usage of palm oil stems from unsustainable farming practices.

Approximately 50% of forest loss has been caused by the implementation of palm oil plantations, and with burning being the most common method of clearing, huge amounts of carbon have been released into the atmosphere, making the palm oil industry one of the world’s major contributors to global climate change. Human health has also been effected by smoke from burning forests.

Land clearing has also destroyed critical habitat for endangered species like rhinos, elephants, tigers and orangutans, which have all been pushed to the verge of extinction.

Indigenous communities have also been forcibly removed and pressured into giving up land by the government to expand palm oil plantations. Local people have, as a result, been robbed of their essential ecosystem services such as clean water and fertile soils.

Currently within Australia and NSW there are no laws or regulations requiring manufactures to label palm oil in their products. Instead, they are able to hide it under the generic term ‘vegetable oil’ or as one of 200 alternative names for the ingredient.

Due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the production of palm oil and the lack of labelling laws, we, as consumers are unable to make informed, responsible and ethical purchasing decisions. It's time we know what's in our products. It time we were given a choice. 

Palm oil labelling won't allow manufacturers to hide behind their actions anymore. It will instigate change and promote the sustainable production of palm oil. 

Sign the petition to help drive change within the Australian consumer market and shape a positive future, based on truth, for the palm oil industry. 

#LabelItRight

 Visit https://labelitright.wordpress.com to find out more. 

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