Dr. Oz Further Promotes Red Palm Oil

EDISON, N.J.—Dr. Mehmet Oz continued to promote the health benefits and sustainability of Malaysian red palm oil in a recent segment on his show, where a member of his medical advising team visited Malaysia to give an account of the oil’s production process.

When red palm oil was touted as the biggest nutritional find for 2013 on The Dr. Oz Show last year, demand for the oil skyrocketed due to the unique benefits offered by carotenoids and tocotrienols naturally found in red palm oil, which protect the heart, brain and skin.

However, unintended consequence ensued: some consumers have raised concerns over sustainability of red palm oil. With the intention to find out the truth himself and to ensure consumers receiving the benefits of tocotrienols and mixed carotenoids, alternative health expert Bryce Wylde embarked on a journey to Malaysia to conduct a “grass roots investigation" on sustainability practices enforced by the Malaysian government and implemented by local oil palm industry in ensuring Malaysian red palm oil is sustainably produced.

In the recent segment, Oz recounted the unique health benefits of red palm oil, and Wylde spoke about his trip to Malaysia. Wylde’s trip showed how the Malaysian government and oil palm growers work hard to preserve wildlife habitats. He stated that Malaysia’s is an “ecofriendly model for the world to follow".

In Peninsular Malaysia, oil palm is exclusively grown on existing cropland and hence sustainability is ensured through replanting, no burning, or clearing of designated rainforest.

In addition, Malaysian Palm Oil Council has set up the Malaysian Palm Oil Wildlife Conservation Fund (MPOWCF) since 2006 to fund research on wildlife, biodiversity and environmental conservation in relation to Malaysian oil palm cultivation.

“The Malaysian Government mandates oil palm industry players to uphold sustainability practice. In line with this mandate, and being a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Carotech has set up our own sustainability policy which can be viewed on our company website," said Bryan See, Carotech regional product manager, New Jersey.