We have followed for years and with increasing attention the tragic events of land robbery-so-called land grabbing-and deforestation related to palm oil production in tropical countries. Even to the point of launching a petition, signed by Great Italian Food Trade and Fatto Alimentare, aimed at obtaining the exclusion of palm from food production. With a specific goal, to curb a demand that still continues to find answers that are not compatible with the rights of local people and the protection of biodiversity. We have collected more than 150 thousand signatures, as well as a fair amount of press following, and we now come across the first reaction from producers. Most wrong, and out of context.
A giant sign stands in Expo, at the Malaysian pavilion, where it asserts the supposed illegality of claims such as ‘Palm Oil Free,’ or ‘Palm Oil Free,’ on food labels. The cartel does not refer to Malaysian labeling legislation-from which one might well expect a pro-palm stance, of which Malaysia and Indonesia are leading global exporters-but to European, French and Belgian legislation. Indeed not even to legal texts, but to the opinion of ‘experts in the legal field’ and ‘a renowned law firm’ that-at the service of palm oil producers-has allegedly expressed a questionable interpretation, by its very nature, of EU Regulation 1169/2011 (so-called Food Information to Consumers).
The snake eats its own tail. Indeed, it must be remembered that the resounding success of palm oil, in Europe as well as in the U.S., is associated with the widespread use-in labels and advertisements of a myriad of food products, baked goods above all-of the terms ‘no hydrogenated fats’ and ‘no hydrogenated oils. Just when global consumers were made aware of the health hazards of so-called artificial trans-fatty acids, which are derived from the partial hydrogenation of seed oils, large industries replaced the latter with palm, which, in addition to costing less than all, is solid in itself without the need to be hydrogenated. And if we wanted to take a step further back, we might recall that hydrogenated oils were introduced in their time in Europe with label claims such as ‘butter-free,’ after the media campaign to demonize butter, the authorship of which it is all too obvious to attribute to the large manufacturers of vegetable margarines.
Under EU Regulation 1169/2011, ‘provision of food information tends to a high level of protection of the health and interests of consumers, providing end consumers with the basis for making conscious choices and to use food safely, respecting in particular Health, economic, environmental, social and ethical considerations.’ (Article 3, General Objectives). On these premises, it is certainly permissible to use optional label claims-including ingredient claims-as long as they are clear, understandable and truthful, and therefore demonstrable. Without ever suggesting‘that the food possesses special characteristics, when in fact all similar foods possess the same characteristics, particularly by explicitly highlighting the presence or absence of certain ingredients and/or nutrients‘ (Article 7.1.c, Fair Information Practices).
Therefore, the environmental, economic, social and ethical values associated with conscious consumption choices are reflected in the varied commercial information that accompanies food. Claims such as ‘GMO-free,’ ‘vegetarian,’ ‘vegan,’ ‘pork-free,’ ‘alcohol-free,’ ‘no additives,’ ‘no artificial coloring,’ now even ‘palm oil-free’ in fact meet the value needs of each person, dictated by religious beliefs or sensitivities and thoughts. Fundamental human rights, protected by constitutional charters and related treaties. While respecting everyone’s freedom of choice about how to produce and what to buy.
Dario Dongo
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
