What Is Palm Oil?
Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palm trees, primarily grown in Asia. Several of the products that we consume today contain palm oil.
It’s important to ensure that the manufacturers of your favorite palm-oil products are committed to sustainability and environmental conservation. At Butterball® Farms, we love the versatility of palm oil, but we also love the environment. That’s why we only use sustainable palm oil in our margarines, butters, and sauces.
Palm Oil in the Food Industry
Palm oil has been extremely popular in the food industry for many reasons, including its:
- Versatility: Palm oil can be used in a liquid or solid form, making it a multifunctional ingredient to have on hand.
- High melting point: For food products that need to remain solid, palm oil is an ideal addition.
- Neutral flavor profile: As a result of its lack of flavor and smell, palm oil can be added to virtually any dish to create a smooth texture.
- Ability to act as a natural preservative: As it is resistant to oxidation, palm oil protects products from going bad.
Foods with Palm Oil
Palm oil can be found in many popular foods, including:
- Palm oil in margarine: Palm oil is solid at room temperature, which makes it perfect for creating this creamy butter alternative. It is also naturally free of trans fat—a big selling point.
- Palm oil in peanut butter: Palm oil helps to stabilize the oils in peanut butter from separating, while also adding to the creamy texture.
- Palm oil in dough: As a result of its smooth texture, palm oil can be found in fresh and frozen dough, with the intention of keeping it from sticking together.
- Palm oil in chocolate: Palm oil provides chocolate bars with their glistening sheen while also helping them remain in a solid state, thanks to its high melting point.
What Is Sustainable Palm Oil?
Sustainably sourced palm oil is required to be deforestation-free. This ensures that manufacturers can continue creating great palm oil products without harming the environment.
RSPO: Look On Your Label
Since 2004, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has been working toward creating sustainability in the palm oil industry by working with a variety of stakeholders, including palm oil producers, processors, retailers, bankers, and conservation groups. Through collaboration with these various entities, the RSPO has set regulations on the production, distribution, and sale of palm oil. This work both reduces harm to the environment and ecosystems in the area where palm oil is harvested as well as ensures the communities where palm oil is acquired are operating legally.
Suppliers utilizing products containing sustainable palm oil will have a stamp of approval from the RSPO, ensuring the oil in their product was responsibly obtained.
Benefits of Sustainable Palm Oil
Many in the food industry have been making the switch to sustainable palm oil, as its functionality is the same as standard palm oil, but its benefits make it a far superior alternative. The benefits of sustainable palm oil include:
- Decreased deforestation: The RSPO is dedicated to ending the destruction of valuable rain forests by eradicating incentives for oil palm plantations that lead to deforestation. This protects this vital land that is home to incredible biodiversity, as well as reduces carbon emissions associated with deforestation.
- Reduced harm to wildlife: Unsustainable palm oil endangers wildlife, whether through deforestation, loss of habitat that increases the likelihood of poaching, or what is deemed land encroachment by unsustainable oil palm producers. Species including the Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran rhino, and Sumatran tiger are critically endangered as a result. Decreasing deforestation through sustainable palm oil methods directly protects these vulnerable species.
- Provides decent living wage to farmers: Over three million smallholders and farmers produce, process, or distribute palm oil. The RSPO works with these groups to ensure those who are responsibly growing oil palms are able to adequately provide for their families, maintaining an income that allows for adequate housing, clean water, medical care, and more.
Implement Sustainable Palm Oil into Your Business
Butterball Farms believes in the mission of the RSPO. We’re happy to help restaurants, catering companies, consumer packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, and more make the switch from palm oil to sustainably sourced palm oil. Not only does this contribute to a healthier global ecosystem, but it also illustrates to your consumer that they’re purchasing ethical products from a company who cares.
Butterball Products with Sustainable Palm Oil
Whipped Margarine
Made with a mixture of oils, including sustainably sourced palm oil, our light, fluffy, whipped margarine is the perfect spread to pair with tableside baked goods. Customize a flavor that fits your needs, whether savory, spicy, or sweet. This butter alternative is just as craveable as the real thing but, due to the aeration process, has a softer texture, making it a luxuriously delicate spread for breads, pancakes, muffins, and more.
Vegan Butter
Dairy-free diners who enjoy the rich mouthfeel and mouthwatering flavor of butter will be wowed with Butterball’s vegan butter products. We can help you create a completely customizable product, from succulent sauces, fillings, glazes, and pre-portioned dollops—all made with plant-based ingredients that can include sustainably sourced palm oil or coconut oil.
Buy Sustainable Palm Oil Margarine
Make the simple switch to deforestation-free sustainable palm oil with Butterball Farms. Contact us today to inquire about placing an order of our delicious high-quality butter alternatives.