A company without palm oil

I'm still on my quest to find out who uses palm oil in their products. I emailed Kraft for an answer when they took over Cadbury - surprise suprise, I've heard nothing back from them whatsoever. I will be trying again, and again until I get a response.

In the meantime @RikaNauck sent me some details on a food tasting party she recently held involing a family business from the outskirts of London, called 'My Secret Kitchen'. They prefer to discontinue products rather than compromising on quality if a certain ingredient becomes unavailable. After her party she contacted them for their views on palm oil. She's very kindly shared this with me for this blog. This is what they said:

"The oils we use in our products are either olive oil, rapeseed oil or sunflower oil and we use them for the lovely flavour and other characteristics that they give our finished products. As you probably know, palm oil is a highly saturated fat and therefore solid at usual room temperatures Palm oil is not an ingredient we use in our products both for ethical and culinary reasons!"

I'm so glad to hear a company saying it doesn't use palm oil for its products. Palm oil hasn't been around forever, so goodness knows what these other companies, who say they have to use it for quality and taste, used to use - were their products disgusting? I certainly don't remember chocolate being horrid!

My Secret Kitchen's website also has a page dedicated to their values. On it they say they never use artificial colours or flavours as they find there's no need to. Also when choosing packaging they actively consider the environment and thing about reducing, reusing and recycling. It's certainly novel to see a company capitalising on this idea. I think in a world where there's fierce competition, which there certainly is in the food industry, there is a niche where people want ethical, fairtrade and environmentally sound products, even if they have to pay a little more.

I've not tried any of the products from 'My Secret Kitchen' - but I'm certainly going to investigate their website a little more. It would be great to hear from anyone who has tried their products, or can suggest other similar companies.

Naughty Nestle

Twitter has been buzzing today with the battle between @greenpeace & @nestle

Nestle have admitted to using unsustainable palm oil and from Sinar Mas, the company dropped by Unilever earlier in the year due to the way they operated. Today Nestle announced that they have changed supplier from Sinar Mas, though Greenpeace say they are now probably buying it from a company that sources their palm oil direct from Sinar Mas, so there's no real difference there.

Greenpeace issued a short ad of their own, based on the famous 'have a break' Kit Kat ad. Nestle quickly had it removed from You Tube. The problem with this, like with many things that are banned, interest levels rocket, and people learn there are more places to have videos than You Tube.

Just in case you want to watch the video here it is:

Have a break? from Greenpeace UK on Vimeo.

Do watch it if you can - though best not whilst you're eating. It made me want to be sick!

You can read Nestle's official statement at http://tinyurl.com/nestlepalmoil
And here's what Greenpeace have to say http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/Nestle-needs-to-give-rainfores

Thorntons

I love Thorntons chocolates. It's a real treat when a box of these turns up in our house. Reading the ingredients the other day I spotted that 'vegetable oil' was listed. Not knowing whether this was palm oil or not I sent off a quick email to find out. Here is the response:

"You will be reassured that our chocolate contains no palm oil or vegetable oils, only natural cocoa butter as we believe this delivers the best taste and product experiences.

However, palm oil has unique flavour and texture properties that are difficult to match for the centres of chocolates, so we use this in a number of centres.

We are concerned about the impact that some palm oil growers have on the environment and only use suppliers who are members of the Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

We are also committed to ensuring all our bulk supplies of palm oil are sustainably sourced before 2012."

So, once again, another product containing palm oil. It really does seem to be in everything. It is a good sign that Thorntons only use suppliers who are part of the RSPO as this means if the oil isn't sustainable yet, it is encouraging the suppliers to get there. It's also encouraging that their deadline for bulk supplies to be sustainable is 2012, much sooner than most other producers.

I'm not convinced that palm oil has such a unique and amazing texture and flavour that nothing else can be used instead. Didn't the Australians recently convince Cadbury to take palm oil out of their chocolate bars and return to the original recipe because they prefered the taste. I think palm oil is a cheap alternative more than anything. I'd certainly be happy to do some chocolate tasting!

Hurray for Baked Beans

In my quest to learn just how much palm oil is in the everyday goods we buy, what it is in, and what manufacturers are doing about the environmental issues, I contacted Heinz. They came back with a speedy response, and the good news is that Heinz Baked Beans do not contain palm oil. This is what else they said:

"Heinz policy is that it only uses palm oil that is produced in a sustainable manner, based on economic, social and environmental viability. We ask our suppliers to guarantee that the palm oil they supply is produced according to that policy. Our Baked Beans however, do not contain any palm oil.

You may like to know that Heinz is also a member of the "Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)" which addresses this issue and promotes the sustainable production and use of palm oil.

You will find more information about the RSPO at the following website: www.rspo.org "

I think my next task is to find out what they accept as a guarantee from their suppliers that their palm oil is produced with an economic, social and environmental viability. I'll keep you updated.

Little ways to become a bit greener

Some people don't believe in global warming or in climate change. I've heard many people say 'global warming? huh, why have we just had so much snow?'. Just because we've had some of the coldest weather in a couple of decades is not evidence that neither of these is happening.

Other people don't believe it's their problem. They want to be driving 4x4s around a city, revving up engines, using 50 carrier bags when 3 would be enough, all that sort of thing because when the consequences really start to happen - they're not going to be affected. (They don't care that any children they have or might have, will be affected). Then there are the people who don't believe they can make a difference, so they don't even try.

(http://www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/content/en/embeds/flash/4-degrees-large-map-final)

In the battle to get green issues higher up agendas, we have to persuade these sets of people that climate change is happening, environmental issues are already affecting everyone and that even little adjustments add up to make a difference. I'd like everyone to consider a few things:

• Are you sure that it's absolutely necessary for every light to be on in your house right now? Are there any rooms where you've got 2, 3, 4 lamps / lights on when 1 less would still be enough? Or maybe you're not using a room, does it need lights on at all?

• What about other electrical items? Any on standby? Do they need to be on?

According to the Government's website www.direct.gov.uk?actionco2 £800million could be saved each year in the UK if people turned off their unused appliances rather than leaving them on standby. A further £140million is wasted by leaving lights on unnecessarily. Imagine how much carbon could be saved by the flick of a switch.

• Is your home too hot? It's been jolly cold lately, but is your heating on high enough to wear a t-shirt? I know quite a few people who like the warmth so much their homes are hot enough to wear their summer clothes all year round. Perhaps you could wear a long-sleeve top - or perhaps a jumper. Winter fashions are just as lovely.

• Driving at slower speeds you get a better petrol consumption. This is also improved by driving more smoothly, braking just a bit earlier and by pulling away more gently - avoiding revving the engine too much (and it will only add a couple of minutes to your journey).

If you're not too fussed about green issues or are sitting on the fence, think about them from a selfish point of view:

• Better petrol consumption - cheaper fuel costs
• Fewer lights / electrical items on - cheaper electricity bills
• Only boiling enough water for present needs - kettle boils quicker
• Turning your heating down by 1degree could save you up to 10% on your heating bill
• Even keeping to the speed limit on motorways (ie doing 70mph not 80mph) will save 10% on your fuel bill

If you're curious about what your carbon footprint is then visit http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/carboncalc/html/

So, whilst you're thinking, why not try 1 or 2 of the above? It'll save you some money and help the earth a bit too.

Remember we're not really trying to save the earth - she'll be here until the sun swallows her up but we do have to do something if the human race wants to continue surviving.

Homelessness in the UK

Over the past few weeks I've been following the Bolt family's trials as they were evicted from their house in Queensland without another to move into. Cate's determination to get her family back into housing at the same time as highlight the huge problem of homelessness in Australia has rubbed off and got me thinking. What's the situation with homelessness here in the UK?

Well I've been doing some research, and the thing I've found the hardest to find is the number of people who are homeless in this country - even a rough estimate. The government website is very keen to say that 130,000 households have avoided being made homeless, or been given better accomodation, and that the number of households accepted by local authorities as owed the main homelessness duty in England has fallen over the past year, but there's no figure. I have discovered that the Governement have a goal of halving the number of households living in temporary accomodation to 50,000 by 2010.

I've read one estimate that 464 people sleep rough on any given night. (http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/homelessnesstrends) and also one saying they say 'there are 1 million people in Britain that are homeless, half a million of which are on the street and the other half a million are living in a squat of temporary shelter (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_people_are_homeless_in_the_uk)

It seems there is no clear answer to how many people are currently homeless in the UK. I imagine one of the problems is simply defining what we actually mean by the word 'homeless. 'Homelessness' doesn't just mean without a home and living on the streets. Shelter is a charity that is working to alleiviate the distress caused by bad housing and homelessness. The legal definition on their website is:

Broadly speaking, the law defines someone as being homeless if they do not have a legal right to occupy accommodation, or if their accommodation is unsuitable to live in. This can cover a wide range of circumstances, including, but not restricted to, the following:

• having no accommodation at all
• having accommodation that is not reasonable to live in, even in the short-term (eg because of violence or health reasons)
• having a legal right to accommodation that you cannot access (eg if you have been evicted illegally)
• living in accommodation you have no legal right to occupy (eg living in a squat or staying with friends temporarily).

Local councils have a legal duty to provide advice and assistance to people who are legally defined as homeless or threatened with homelessness. However, not everyone who falls within the legal definition necessarily qualifies for temporary accommodation.

This means there are lots of different 'types' of homelessness. The most recognised form is when people are forced to sleep on the streets. This is not the full picture though. 'Street homelessness' is a much broader type that includes many more than those under cardboard boxes in shop doorways. Some will have a hostel or a squat to sleep in but still have no where to go in the day time. Though they might have a roof over their heads, hostels can have their own set of problems such as other residents with drug, alcohol or violence issues. There can be a lack of privacy, beds and poor facilities. It is important, therefore, to find long term solutions for all people who are 'homeless'.

There are many different causes for homelessness and it is a complete myth that if there is a good economy there should be no reason why anyone is homeless. Shelter see the causes as the combination of personal and 'structural' causes from outside their control. Personal causes range from family breakdown and disputes, sexual and physical abuse in childhood or adolescence, alcohol / drug problems either of the individual or in their family, a lack of qualifications, lack of social support, debts, poor physical / mental health or relationship breakdown. The structural causes can include unemployment, povery, housing policies, structure / administration of housing benefits or lack of affordable housing.

Tackling any of these personal or structural causes and the problems of finding solutions is incredibly difficult especially in the current economic crisis. Fortunately there are some wonderful charities out there doing just that.

Shelter - http://england.shelter.org.uk
Centrepoint - http://www.centrepoint.org.uk
The Big Issue Foundation - http://www.bigissue.co.uk

The Big Issue - a magazine UK residents will be familiar with - is an opportunity for homeless people to start helping themselves out of their predicament. Vendors do have to prove they are 'homeless', undergo an induction process and sign up to the code of conduct. Once they are able to start selling the magazine they purchase copies for 75p and sell them for £1.50, keeping the profit for themselves. As they are never reimbursed for issues they don't sell, the quantities they take on need to be carefully calculated. I was walking in town today and there was the familiar sight of the man that sells our Big Issue. The majority of people ignored him, not even saying 'no thank you' which really grated on me. He's still a person, not something to be looked away from. He's always polite and often has a smile on his face. I don't know why he's homeless, whether it was his 'fault' or circumstances beyond his control - it doesn't matter. Everyone deserves somewhere permanent to live, however big or small. What was nice to see were 2 teenage boys, smartly dressed in their local boys' school uniform, who went up to him, shook his hand and talked to him, just seeing how he was. People complain about 'the youth of today' - but some of the adults in that street could learn a thing or two from these young lads.

It's been bitterly cold of late here in the UK. Locally it's been down to -11. Imagine what it's like not to have a nice, comfy bed with central heating to banish the winter blues, or even a roof over your head from the snow. It's not a good place to be.

What would be really great, is if you could spend a few minutes reading the websites above to get a better understanding of the situation just around the corner from your own home. And next time you see a Big Issue seller please don't walk by and look the other way - buy a copy, it's only £1.50 (one of the cheapest magazines around) or at the very least say hello.

Useful links to articles on palm oil & orangutans

Whilst browsing the internet for information on palm oil and orangutans I've come across some interesting articles. You've probably seen them before, but here they all are again, just in case:


Cruel Oil: How Palm Oil Harms Health, Rainforest & Wildlife
http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/palm_oil_final_5-27-05.pdf

Save orangutans from exinction when you next shop - and put an end to the cruelty of palm oil
http://naturealert.org/14.10.05/Orangutan%20Appeal.pdf

Palm Oil Report - Ever Wondered How Much Palm Oil Costs?
http://naturealert.org/14.3.07/images/Palm%20Oil%20Report.pdf

Palm Oil Report - The Cost of Palm Oil is Rising
http://naturealert.org/9.2.2008/images/Palm%20Oil%20Report.pdf

Palm Oil Report - The Indonesian Chainsaw Massacre
http://naturealert.org/25.8.09/Palm%20Oil%20Report.pdf

The Last Stand of the Orangutan
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources/PDFs/LastStand/full_orangutanreport.pdf

Palm Oil Fact Sheet
http://redapes.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/20080415_palmoilfactsheet_v1.pdf

If anyone has other links (I know there are hundreds out there) that they have found particularly useful & or useful, do let me know and I will add them.