Why is Palm Oil Bad?

Palm oil: Ever hear of it? Imports of the stuff to the United States have risen a whopping 263% in the last 15 years and, these days, it’s in our toothpaste, our shampoo, our pet’s food, our makeup, and more. Palm oil is in nearly everything, and its cultivation has dire consequences for our planet.

This week, I speak with award-winning journalist and author Jocelyn Zuckerman. Jocelyn traveled to 4 continents to research the ripple effects of palm oil’s rise, and she found herself alarmed at what she learned. Jocelyn is on the show to share her greatest insights gained; she offers accessible ways you and I can reduce our reliance on the product, too.

Here’s a preview of our conversation:

[5:15] The rise of palm: Did consumers demand it, or was the product forced upon us?

[7:15] The (massive) environmental implications associated with growing oil palm

[8:30] Connections between palm oil and pandemics

[13:30] How palm oil impacts worldwide obesity rates

[16:00] Political and financial forces that are keeping the product relevant

[17:00] 3 tips for listeners who want to reduce their reliance

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Planet Palm: How Palm Oil Ended Up in Everything―and Endangered the World
• Palm Oil is Destroying Rainforests. But Try Going A Day Without It (via National Geographic)

The many names of palm oil in ingredients lists:

Elaeis guineensis
Etyl palmitate
Glyceryl
Hydrogenated palm glycerides
Octyl palmitate
Palm fruit oil, Palm kernel, Palm kernel oil, Palm stearine
Palmate, Palmitate, Palmitic acid, Palmityl alcohol, Palmolein
Sodium kernelate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium lauryl sulphate, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium palm kernelate
Stearate, Stearic acid
Vegetable fat, Vegetable oil

* Thank you to Outrage + Optimism for sponsoring this episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts for new episodes every Thursday.

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