{"id":12203,"date":"2018-05-18t12:41:46","date_gmt":"2018-05-18t12:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dpetrov.2create.studio\/planet\/wordpress\/facing-the-facts-about-nutella-palm-oil-the-environment\/"},"modified":"2024-02-12t20:32:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12t20:32:58","slug":"nutella-palm-oil-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.getitdoneaz.com\/story\/nutella-palm-oil-the-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"facing the facts about nutella, palm oil & the environment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

for as long as i can remember, nutella was always a special snack. my family would usually have a jar on hand in our house, but it was typically saved for special occasions. as i got older and discovered that nutella was served in many places around the world, i was happy to have easier access to the delicious treat, rather than it being protected behind the cupboard and my mother\u2019s watchful eye. however, after recently hearing assertions about the product that directly conflict with my values, i decided to research the sweet treat and its producer to uncover the facts about nutella\u2019s environmental impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

first, let\u2019s take a look at nutella\u2019s ingredients. there are only seven ingredients in the hazelnut spread, all of which are relatively well-known, which makes consumers feel confident they are making a completely natural and healthy choice by avoiding myriad artificial enhancers and sweeteners that often are found in snack foods today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of course, the first ingredient of nutella is sugar. listed second is palm oil, followed by hazelnuts, cocoa, milk, lecithin (soy) and vanillin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the most controversial ingredient in that list is the palm oil. since ingredients are listed on labels in order of quantity, as nutella\u2019s second ingredient, palm oil is a large component of the hazelnut spread\u2019s recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

palm oil is extracted from the palm fruit, which grows on the african oil palm tree. it\u2019s popular as a food ingredient due to its natural properties and versatility: it has a neutral odor and taste, is semi-solid at room temperature, and gives products a creamy, smooth texture.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"palm
palm fruits are collected for production into palm oil in jukwa village in ghana. (onevillage initiative<\/a>\/creative commons<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

this is especially important for confectionary products like nutella, because using palm oil avoids the use of the hydrogenation process, which creates unhealthy trans fats in products. palm oil is also the most efficient oil, producing about 3.7 tons per hectare (or roughly 2.5 acres), whereas oil from soybeans, sunflowers, or rapeseeds produce much less. that 3.7 tons is equal to about 7,400 pounds \u2013 the equivalent weight of about two and a half toyota prius 4-door hatchbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n