Source: EcoWatch
Whether you call India your home or you’re an intrepid traveler traversing its diverse terrains, there’s one undeniable truth: the allure of Indian cuisine is simply unparalleled. It’s a culinary masterpiece that commands universal acclaim. In fact, in 2022, the Bulgarian travel guide Taste Atlas officially acknowledged Indian cuisine as the fifth most celebrated on a global scale. However, beneath India’s intricate flavor combinations and spice blends, a well-guarded secret hides in plain sight, one that your beloved food brands would rather keep discreet: the pervasive use of palm oil.
This seemingly innocuous and arguably versatile ingredient has infiltrated our kitchens, finding its way into an array of food products. But what’s the big deal about palm oil, you ask? Well, this unassuming substance has far-reaching effects that extend beyond culinary creations.
The Ecological Impact of Palm Oil
Palm oil is at the epicenter of a grave environmental catastrophe. The sprawling palm oil plantations have been the wrecking ball smashing through Southeast Asia’s rainforests and its rich biodiversity. Sure, sustainable palm oil production is theoretically possible, but in conventional practice, it often means unchecked expansion that threatens forests and wildlife.
The transformation of forests into palm oil plantations has led to the obliteration of vast tracts of land that serve as homes to numerous endangered species. Indonesia and Malaysia, the powerhouses responsible for over 85% of the world’s palm oil, are also the last havens for orangutans. Unfortunately, converting lush forests into palm oil cash cows is taking a severe toll on countless animal species and their natural habitats. Among these forests’ inhabitants are some of the planet’s most iconic creatures, including orangutans, elephants, and tigers. Today, fewer than 80,000 of these majestic animals remain, with their habitats perpetually threatened by deforestation.
The insatiable demand for palm oil extends its influence into non-food sectors as well, including surfactants, personal care products, cosmetics, agrochemicals, and even biofuels. With no signs of slowing down, the devastating impact on wildlife is poised to worsen.
The National Un-Health Mission
But just in case you don’t care about the environment – which begs the question of what you’re doing here – here’s a reason you should (theoretically) care. Although in India, palm oil has often been marketed as the ultimate solution for vitamin A deficiency, its recent downfall in reputation is due to newfound awareness of its shockingly high saturated fat content. The nation’s vast population, urbanization, and rising consumer living standards have propelled the demand for palm oil to new heights. In fact, India stands tall as one of the globe’s top palm oil importers, accounting for a staggering 56% of its domestic edible oil demand. Within this figure, palm oil and palmolein constitute a dominant 54%.
This palm oil propaganda has made it a go-to choice for home cooks across the nation[1] , overshadowing recent studies indicating that its consumption can send you on a fast track to life-threatening heart diseases, including the possibility of cardiac arrest under the age of 50. Pitted against the likes of olive oil, coconut oil, and even refined oil, palm oil didn’t exactly come out as the golden child. One study even suggested that palm oil might give your cholesterol levels a little kick, even if you’re generally a picture of health.
I mean, it’s still a step up from butter, which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly the pinnacle of health, but even so, you might want to reconsider that palm oil purchase.
