The FINANCIAL — NEW ORLEANS — Cargill announced today at the 2011 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Expo that it is now offering palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to North American food manufacturers.
This step by Cargill – the largest North American importer of palm oil – supports the company’s goal that the palm oil it imports is grown sustainably. RSPO certification for Cargill’s United States 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.”
Sustainability initiatives are taking on greater urgency for food manufacturers as consumers, retailers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) push for an increased focus on environmental and social issues,” added Knudson. “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.”
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