Dutch retailer Ekoplaza has rejected claims by the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA), a group that represents sustainable palm oil producers, that it is boycotting the oil from its range.
In a statement, the EPOA claimed that in choosing to boycott palm oil altogether, rather than adopt sustainable palm oil, the Dutch retailer has 'positioned itself outside the solution' that is being supported by those within the palm oil industry and several international governments.
It said that a message of boycotting palm oil sends a 'discouraging signal' to producers of sustainable palm oil, and risks shifting sustainability and deforestation problems ‘out of sight’ to other vegetables oils.
Responding via Twitter, Ekoplaza rejected the EPOA's suggestions, saying that it 'certainly [does] not boycott palm oil', adding that its 'entire product range' consists of products containing sustainable palm oil.
Thanks for your reply! We certainly do not boycott palm oil. Our entire product range consists of products containing sustainable palm oil. Products that contain palm oil coming from a problem area, immediatly disappear from our range. https://t.co/AnQprRLsZ4
— Ekoplaza (@Ekoplaza) July 10, 2019
'Products that contain palm oil coming from a problem area, immediately disappear from our range,' it added.
Earlier this week, Ekoplaza adopted the Greenpeace 'Rang-tan' advert for its online communications.
The controversial advert caused a furore when it was shown by frozen foods retailer Iceland in the UK last year, for its festive Christmas campaign.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
