Cargill ramps up supply of segregated sustainable palm oil in North America

Cargill has announced that it is expanding its supply of segregated certified palm oil in North America to help customers meet sustainability commitments.

With the move, Cargill aims to become one of North America’s first large-scale suppliers of segregated palm oil certified by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

The company’s new offering meets certification standards for RSPO, which verifies that forests are protected, and that social and environmental safeguards are met during the oil’s production and harvest.

To carry the “segregated” certification, all products must be kept separate from commodity palm oil supplies and be traceable throughout the supply chain. The plantations and refinery facilities are RSPO certified and the RSPO ensures the palm oil is used by certified manufacturers.

From December 2020, all palm oil production from the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina refinery will be solely dedicated to providing the sustainably-sourced product.

By supplying North American food manufacturers with product, Cargill says the expanded supply means consumers may soon see the sustainable palm oil used in foods such as bakery, snacks, confectionery and dairy, as well as non-dairy creamers.

Cargill has been supplying RSPO-certified palm oil since 2005, currently reaching customers in Europe, Mexico, Australia and Malaysia. However, the company previously offered its North American customers mass-balanced sustainable palm oil.

“More than ever, brands and consumers care about the standards behind the products they buy,” said Reid Kinde, North American commercial leader for Cargill’s global edible oils business.

He added: “People want assurance that the raw materials used are sourced in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way. By significantly increasing the supply of segregated certified-sustainable palm oil, we’re giving our customers and consumers’ confidence in our sourcing practices and reaffirming our commitment to supporting sustainable practices throughout our operations.”