Sustainable Palm Oil Consumption and Substitution in Europe 
Fabrice TURON, FAT & Associés 
Toulouse, France

Since 2005, the increase in the world population and per capita consumption has driven palm oil into the lead. However, we can currently observe an ongoing pressure to reduce palm oil consumption in Europe. This trend is echoing to the rise of consumer awareness regarding the ecological impact of standard palm oil cultivation on one hand, and continuing pressure about health and nutrition concern on the other hand. In reaction, the European brand leaders and retailers are following two different routes. Some have committed to the exclusive use of certified sustainable palm in their products, when others have undertaken to suspend the use of palm oil altogether and change their recipes. Can the shifts towards “palm oil free” and “sustainable palm oil” food and ingredients be growing trends?