Palm oil replacements already exist, but researchers claim to have a mass-process solution
A new study claims to have found a viable and sustainable palm oil replacement. But is it too good to be true?
Researchers at the UK-based Tunley Environmental consultancy have claimed in a new study that black soldier fly larvae could be farmed even in built up industrial areas to produce alternatives to palm oil.
How can palm oil be replaced?
But it’s not as easy as subbing one commodity in for another. While black soldier fly larvae could produce a sustainable alternative to palm oil, organisations argue palm oil production can be good for planet, people and protected species if it’s sourced responsibly.
Though the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil does argue the reverse can be true.
Cultivated palm oil production has expanded since the 1960s, where it accounted for 3.6m hectares of land use. Though in 46 years that figure has quadrupled to just under 14m hectares.
Regulation issues remain sore points in the likes of Indonesia and Malaysia, which account for 58% and 24% of the market respectively.
The illicit palm oil trade
Governments there, however, are working to get a handle on illicit and unsustainable production.
And that’s why theories such as Tunley Environmental’s could be part of a solution, perhaps not replacing the traditional industry, but being a complementary lever.
But, would consumers really want to eat something derived from a creepy crawly?
