Asda joins palm oil discussions

Asda, the UK’s second biggest supermarket, has announced its participation in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, in a move that has been welcomed by environmental groups. The meetings will attempt to promote a sustainable solution for palm oil, the sourcing of which currently contributes to deforestation in some of the world’s most sensitive regions.

Palm oil is found in a wide-range of products, from bread and crisps to cosmetics and soap. Currently, some 500 companies in the UK use palm oil in their products, yet just 16 of these are participating in the roundtable. The Co-Op is the only other supermarket involved in the discussion process.

"It is good news that Asda has now acknowledged the damaging impacts associated with most palm oil production and agreed to join the Roundtable. It must ensure this is matched by committed action to use credibly certified palm oil in their products as quickly as possible,” said Friends of the Earth Corporate Accountability Campaigner Ed Matthew. “The litmus test is how fast this can be achieved. I understand that Asda is now talking to its parent company Walmart about also joining the Roundtable and it is to be hoped that they will follow suit."