Palm oil is an ingredient found 50% of packed products, from shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, cookies, peanut butter, lotion, makeup and yes, our dog supplements.

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil made from the fruit of the African oil palm tree, which originates in West Africa. However, it was brought to South-East Asia over 100 years ago as it’s successfully grown in humid tropical climate.  Today, over 44 countries produce palm oil but 85% of global supply comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. 

This versatile oil is popular as it’s semi-solid at room temperature, resistant to oxidation (giving products a longer shelf life), stable at high temperatures, and it’s odorless and colorless.  It’s also an efficient crop that produces high quantities of oil over small areas of land almost all year round. 

sustainable palm oil challenges

So, the question arises "is sustainable palm oil ok?". 3/4 of palm oil concession are certified to be sustainable by the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the world’s largest association for ethical palm oil production.  But what are the real sustainable palm oil challenges? A study conducted in 2020 found that most of the currently certified grower supply bases and concessions in Indonesia and Malaysia are located in biodiverse tropical forests and large habitats where mammals were less than 30 years ago.

In addition, RSPO does not prevent the conversion of secondary or degraded forests and allows plantation development on peatland and has not introduced binding requirements to address GHG emissions associated with palm oil production.

RSPO was also accused of covering up abuses of workers’ rights as in 2015, The Wall Street Journal conducted an investigation of concessions granted by the Malaysian government to the Federal Land Development Authority, the biggest palm oil company. It found evidence of foreign workers who had been trafficked from Bangladesh and Myanmar working under human slavery conditions.  It also reported, that workers were often not paid or paid below minimum salary; had their passports removed (so they could not leave); were handling toxic chemicals (without safety training or equipment), and were not offered healthcare when ill or in accidents.

sustainable pet products free of palm oil

At Mokai, we understand that convenience at the cost of our planet, is not convenient at all.  That’s why, we refuse to add palm oil to any of our products, no matter how many formulators, scientists, or manufacturing experts recommend it to us.  Because no matter how small and insignificant it may be in our product labels, we refuse to take part of this atrocities. 

It’s with our consumer dollars that we can save these magnificent species and protect the future of our planet, so be sure to read the little text at the bottom of those popular dog supplements that you find at every retailer.