The Malaysian palm oil industry adheres to the 3Ps principle of sustainability: People, Planet and Profit. This balanced approach supports the farmers who grow the fruit and protects the country’s environment, while providing economic stability. Sustainability ensures long-term safekeeping of this country’s important agricultural crop.
In Malaysia, the palm industry is highly regulated. Oil palm trees are only grown on designated land using Good Agricultural Practices. Smallholders cultivate nearly 40 percent of Malaysia’s palmplanted lands. Wildlife is carefully protected and natural rainforests conserved. To support these initiatives, the industry has established the Malaysian Palm Oil Wildlife Conservation Fund to support education and conservation programs, including the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary. The Malaysian palm oil industry is also credited for bringing farmers out of poverty, and building community roads, schools and healthcare facilities.
The posts below demonstrate the Malaysian palm oil industry’s commitment to sustainability.
In this article, blogger and TV contributor Carolina King encouraged moms to shop for Easter candy made with non-GMO Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil. She referred to Malaysia as, “One of the world’s most eco-friendly countries.”
Also at Expo West, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council will introduce Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification (MSPO) to attendees. MSPO certification is a sustainability program initiated by the Malaysian government to ensure the implementation and importantly, to assist smallholders (~650,000 smallholders in Malaysia) in the palm plantation sector in achieving sustainability practices and certification.
The Guardian US is renowned for its award-winning journalism. When it ran freelance journalist Paul Tullis’s article on how the world got hooked on palm oil, we knew the piece would be thorough. MPOC CEO Kalyana Sundram is quoted about some of the more controversial issues.
While moderation is still recommended, some candy manufacturers are trying to do the right thing by making gluten-free choices, using eco-friendly ingredients and insisting on higher quality ingredients.
“Palm oil is in fact a good fat, but ONLY if the palm oil is responsibly sourced from Malaysia,” King wrote in her blog, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Palm Oil.”
King mentioned that many of the nation’s leading candy makers use responsibly sourced palm oil, such as Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil, for their products. By the end of 2019, Malaysia plans to have 100 percent of its palm oil MSPO certified.
MPOC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr. Kalyana Sundram delivered an eye-opening presentation at the 2018 Palm Oil Fair and Seminar (POTS).
Palm oil is a common ingredient in many food products, ranging from better-for-you nutrition and sport bars to crackers and healthy spreads. Palm oil is also used in soaps, lotions and other skincare products.
Overall we continue to see many challenges associated with the markets for Malaysian palm oil but we remain confident that Malaysian palm oil will continue to remain competitive, vibrant and a much sought after commodity in the coming years.
These stringent standards will soon become mandatory in Malaysia. That’s good news because more than half of the palm oil imported into the U.S is from this eco-focused country. Palm oil is Malaysia’s number one export.
The Palm Oil Health and Nutrition blog is your resource for information on the health and nutritional benefits of Malaysian palm fruit oil and palm fruit oil bioactives. We provide breaking news and industry research, including the exciting potential for supporting cardiovascular and neurological health. Scientists, health experts and renowned chefs have come together to provide facts, health and nutrition advice, recipes and more, so check back often. 
