Palm Oil: Why Do People Dislike It?

Palm oil is used extensively in everything from snacks and chocolates to instant noodles. While companies favor it, why do people dislike it? Palm oil is extracted from the oil palm, which primarily grows in tropical climates of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. To meet demand, vast amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted during the process of burning and logging huge areas of primary forests, causing environmental pollution. As forests are destroyed, numerous wild animals like orangutans, elephants, and rhinos lose their habitats and are pushed towards extinction. Human rights issues are also pointed out, such as the displacement of local indigenous people or farm laborers being exposed to toxic pesticides without safety precautions. What about health? Although palm oil is a 'vegetable' oil extracted from the fruit of the palm tree, unlike typical vegetable oils (like olive oil or canola oil), it contains about 50% saturated fat, making its composition similar to animal fats. It's comparable to lard or beef tallow. Excessive intake of saturated fat can raise bad cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.