Cargill Offers Sustainable Palm Oil in U.S.

NEW ORLEANSCargill is now offering Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil to North American food manufacturers. The move, announced at the 2001 IFT Food Expo, further supports the company's goal to import sustainably grown palm oil.

RSPO certification for Cargill's U.S. refineries follows its European and Malaysian operations, which were certified to offer RSPO products to food manufacturers in 2010.

"Cargill is committed to improving the sustainability of the palm oil supply chain," said Kris Knudson, national sales manager, Cargill Oils & Shortenings. "It is our hope that all palm oil plantations become RSPO-certified, and our eventual goal is to have a 100-percent RSPO certified supply chain."

Cargill has been an active RSPO member since 2004 to promote the growth of sustainable palm and use of sustainable palm oil. At the end of 2010, 70 percent of Cargill's total crude palm oil was purchased from RSPO members.

"Sustainability initiatives are taking on greater urgency for food manufacturers as consumers, retailers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) push for an increased focus on environmental and social issues," Knudson added. "At Cargill, we are committed to helping lead efforts to move the palm oil industry toward more sustainable production and are encouraging third-party suppliers to join RSPO and attain certification."