The zoo is also removing other products that contain palm oil, due to concerns that its production is driving rainforest destruction across Southeast Asia, putting orangutans and other species at risk.
Cadbury said it made the change to palm oil for economic reasons. Palm oil, described as "vegetable fat" on its packaging, is cheaper than cocoa butter.
Sumatran orangutan in North Sumatra
Rainforest cleared for oil palm agriculture in North Sumatra. Photos taken by Rhett A. Butler in May 2009.
Cadbury says it tries to source its palm oil from sustainable sources. It is a member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an initiative that seeks to improve the environmental performance of palm oil. Critics of RSPO say it is little more than a greenwashing scheme to mislead consumers, but supporters, which include prominent environmental groups and orangutan conservation organizations, maintain that the certification program can be a effective way to balance environmental concerns and economic development. Nevertheless sales of RSPO-certified palm oil — which presently costs about 8 percent more than conventional palm oil — have been slow, according to industry watchers, who say the economic downturn has led consumers to prioritize thrift over ecological concerns.
Mongabay.com is an environmental science and conservation news website.
