Palm Oil
A cheap, versatile vegetable oil high in saturated fat, with major deforestation concerns.
Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of oil palms. It is semi-solid at room temperature, giving spreads and snacks their texture and shelf life.
It is about 50% saturated fat, which in excess raises LDL cholesterol. Refined palm oil can also contain process contaminants (3-MCPD). Unsustainable production drives rainforest loss.
Occasional exposure is fine; frequent palm-oil-heavy snacks push up saturated fat — choose RSPO-certified where possible.
10 analyzed products
Second largest ingredient, contributes to deforestation and high saturated fat content.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol. It also carries environmental concerns linked to deforestation, though Ferrero states it uses RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. Processing contaminants (glycidyl esters) are a further point of discussion.
High in saturated fat, and palm oil production is strongly associated with deforestation and habitat loss. Nestlé sources it under sustainability commitments, but environmental concerns remain.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol when consumed in excess. Its production is also associated with deforestation and environmental concerns.
High in saturated fat, and palm oil production is linked to deforestation, so it is a sustainability concern as well as a nutritional one.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol when eaten in excess. Its production is also linked to deforestation concerns.
High in saturated fat, and palm oil production is strongly associated with deforestation and habitat loss, though some brands use RSPO-certified sources.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat and is the second ingredient. Its production is also strongly associated with deforestation and habitat loss, though Ferrero states it uses RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. Refining at high temperatures can form contaminants such as glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-MCPD, which EFSA has flagged as a health concern.
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which raises LDL cholesterol when eaten regularly. Sustainability and deforestation concerns apply unless it is certified (e.g. RSPO).
High in saturated fat and linked to deforestation concerns when not sustainably sourced. Mars states it uses RSPO-certified palm oil, but it is still a calorie-dense, nutrient-poor fat.