Palm oil is the best ingredient for "guaranteeing its special spreadability and, above all, avoiding the hydrogenation process that would produce otherwise unhealthy trans fats," according to the Nutella website. Its maker, Ferrero, launched an ad campaign in response to a ruling in May from the European Food Safety Authority (PDF) that palm oil is a "potential health concern" when improperly processed. Last year, the safety authority delivered a scientific opinion that current levels of glycerol-based process contaminants found in palm oil are a "potential health concern." Having learned that palm oil plantations destroyed the habitats of orangutans, the scouts began checking products for palm oil. Kelloggs claims to use a small amount of palm oil globally and has been working since 2009 to responsibly source only sustainable palm oil (PDF).

Source: Egypt Independent January 13, 2017 11:46 UTC