TThe age old debate still stands. Is palm oil a vegan issue? The problem with palm oil, in its most basic form, is that animal habitats, including those of orangutans, are being destroyed to clear land to plant rows upon rows of palm oil trees. Not only are animals losing their habitats, but ecological diversity is suffering as a result of palm oil monoculture.
However, palm oil is prevalent — over 50 per cent of products contain palm oil or a palm derivative and therefore, it is difficult to identify as well as avoid. For some, eliminating palm oil is no different to eliminating cheese — our taste buds are not important enough to contribute to the industry. For others, avoiding palm oil isn’t practical.