Palm (kernel) oil, thanks to its properties, has become a common ingredient. It could be found in various percentages in our own-brand products, such as, for example, in confectionery, cosmetics and cleaning products. Since it is often not possible or sensible to replace it completely, we at Lidl have set ourselves the clear objective of treating this raw material with care.
As a socially responsible company, we are aware of the environmental and social risks that palm (kernel) oil production entails throughout the supply chain. When land is converted to a plantation to produce palm (kernel) oil, land conflicts and even the expropriation of land already used for this purpose from smallholders and indigenous peoples can occur. Not to mention the health risks for workers, as they often do not have adequate safety measures when, for example, using pesticides or performing physically demanding tasks to harvest the fruits of the plant.
To address these challenges, Lidl has set itself concrete goals: in particular, we want to improve the working and living conditions of workers in the producing countries and commit to more environmentally friendly cultivation.
To achieve these goals, we have:
1. Developed a holistic strategy based on 4 pillars
2. Conducted a complete risk analysis of our assortment
3. Implemented a supplier mapping (which is repeated annually)
4. Consolidated our presence as members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
The palm (kernel) oil contained in our products is RSPO Certified
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2018
• The palm (kernel) oil in food and near-food items is certified in accordance with the RSPO “Segregated” standard at a minimum.
• The palm (kernel) oil fractions and derivatives in food and near-food items are certified in accordance with the RSPO “Mass Balance” standard at a minimum.
• The palm (kernel) oil fractions and derivatives in non-food items is certified in accordance with the RSPO “Mass Balance” standard at a minimum. -
2023
• The palm (kernel) oil fractions and derivatives in food and near-food items are certified in accordance with the RSPO “Mass Balance” standard at a minimum.