Sainsbury’s to stock palm oil-free margarine

Sainsbury’s is to roll out The Flower Farm’s palm oil-free margarine, which looks to help save the tropical rainforest from deforestation.

Launching in the Big 4 grocer’s stores from today (22 March), the 100% plant-based spread is created using Shea butter, unlike traditional margarines which include up to 50% palm oil.

Also free from gluten, lactose and cow’s milk protein, the product has an RRP of £2.95 for a 450g tub.

The Shea butter used is extracted from the nuts of the Karité tree in the African Savannah, with no deforestation required.

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As a result, The Flower Farm has saved almost 560,000kg of palm oil, which would have taken 1.5 million square metres of palm oil plantation to produce.

Around 85% of palm oil is produced unsustainably, which is both damaging for the environment and the leading cause for orangutan extinction, with up to 5,000 killed each year in palm oil concessions.

“The rainforest is the basis of everything global nature needs. If we want to preserve the planet for future generations, we have to act now. For consumers, using palm oil-free products is a small step, but it’s a good place to start,” The Flower Farm founder, Marcel van Wing said.

“However, a transformation towards more sustainable food systems is vital for delivering on climate change targets globally, and every retailer has a responsibility to take proactive steps to do the right thing for the planet.”

He added: “We are delighted to have Sainsbury’s endorsement as we seek to grow the presence of our palm-oil free spread across the UK retail landscape, whilst raising awareness of the role that palm oil production plays in the destruction of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests.”