Vegetable fats
Generally speaking, vegetable fats have a lower environmental impact than animal fats. But the demand for palm oil in particular has led to increased deforestation, reduced biodiversity and threats to local populations. Procurement authorities can set demands for more sustainable production and EU organic goods in their procurements.
Filter
Criteria group
| Download | Description | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-organic product | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information Organic production promotes sustainable agriculture. Organic farming should respect nature's ecosystems and different natural cycles, and strive to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant health and the health of animals. The balance between all elements is to be maintained and preferably improved. Criterion text Food products must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | |||||
| More sustainably produced palmoil in food products | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information The large-scale production of palm oil can entail serious risks for both people and the environment, such as deforestation and decreased biodiversity. The criterium contributes to improving the conditions for a transition towards a more sustainable cultivation of oil palm. Criterion text Palm oil and/or palm kernel oil, if it is contained in a product, shall be produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the palm oil/palm kernel oil can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through mass balance, or through the principles for credits (Credits/Book and Claim) | |||||
| Information about origin of the raw material – plant products | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information Transparency and traceability within the food supply chain is a prerequisite to being able to monitor both environmental requirements and social requirements within the supply chain. A requirement for information regarding the origin of raw material, along with the possibility for monitoring, ensures traceability for the contracting organisation. Criterion text For food products from vegetable raw material, information regarding the country(ies) of origin of the material(s) shall be available and can be presented upon request during the contract period, including any substitute items. Information regarding the raw material's country(ies) of origin shall contain:
| |||||
| More sustainably produced and segregated palm oil in food products | Advanced | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information The large-scale production of palm oil can entail serious risks for both people and the environment, such as deforestation and decreased biodiversity. The criterium contributes to an improved traceability and more sustainable cultivation of oil palm. Criterion text Palm oil and/or palm kernel oil, if included in the product, shall be produced in such a way that at least covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the palm oil/palm kernel oil can be shown through a segregated chain of custody (Identity Preserved or Segregated). | |||||
Vegetable fats are produced of a mix of different fats, such as rapeseed oil, olive oil, sunflower oil or butter. Generally, vegetable fats have lower environmental impact than animal fats.
Palm oil are used in many products used daily. In food, palm oil is especially common in desserts, sweet bread, cookies and fried products. Production of this very important oil primarily takes place in Indonesia and Malaysia where large scale palm oil plantations have led to deforestation of tropical forests which rich wildlife. Substitution of forests for palm oil plantations threatens animal life and biodiversity in areas with non-substitutable environmental values.
Palm oil however fills a unique function in substituting trans-fats and the cultivation is an important income for many small-hold farmers. There are international initiatives which work to increase the sustainability in the palm oils production.