Vegetable fats
Generally speaking, vegetable fats have a lower environmental impact than animal fats. But the demand for palm oil in particular has led to increased deforestation, reduced biodiversity and threats to local populations. Procurement authorities can set demands for more sustainable production and EU organic goods in their procurements.
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Criteria group
| Download | Description | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-organic product | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information Organic production promotes sustainable agriculture. Organic farming should respect nature's ecosystems and different natural cycles, and strive to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant health and the health of animals. The balance between all elements is to be maintained and preferably improved. Criterion text Food products must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | |||||
| Information about origin - non-compound products | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information Information about origin can be enlightening for contracting authorities, e.g. which environmental laws applied to the production. Traceability is a prerequisite for being able to track any product defects and ensuring that the product meets the correct quality requirements. Criterion text For non-compound products made of a single raw material, un-mixed or mixed with flavourings, additives or equivalent, written information must be provided upon request:
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| More sustainably produced palmoil in food products | Core | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information The large-scale production of palm oil can entail serious risks for both people and the environment, such as deforestation and decreased biodiversity. The criterium contributes to improving the conditions for a transition towards a more sustainable cultivation of oil palm. Criterion text Palm oil and/or palm kernel oil, if it is contained in a product, shall be produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the palm oil/palm kernel oil can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through mass balance, or through the principles for credits (Credits/Book and Claim) | |||||
| More sustainably produced and segregated palm oil in food products | Advanced | Technical specification | Margarine and oils | ||
Criterion information The large-scale production of palm oil can entail serious risks for both people and the environment, such as deforestation and decreased biodiversity. The criterium contributes to an improved traceability and more sustainable cultivation of oil palm. Criterion text Palm oil and/or palm kernel oil, if included in the product, shall be produced in such a way that at least covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the palm oil/palm kernel oil can be shown through a segregated chain of custody (Identity Preserved or Segregated). | |||||
Vegetable fats are produced of a mix of different fats, such as rapeseed oil, olive oil, sunflower oil or butter. Generally, vegetable fats have lower environmental impact than animal fats.
Palm oil are used in many products used daily. In food, palm oil is especially common in desserts, sweet bread, cookies and fried products. Production of this very important oil primarily takes place in Indonesia and Malaysia where large scale palm oil plantations have led to deforestation of tropical forests which rich wildlife. Substitution of forests for palm oil plantations threatens animal life and biodiversity in areas with non-substitutable environmental values.
Palm oil however fills a unique function in substituting trans-fats and the cultivation is an important income for many small-hold farmers. There are international initiatives which work to increase the sustainability in the palm oils production.
Criteria for vegetable fats previously connected to product group cereals and sugar are clarified via specific product group. For background see chapter 3.5 in Förstudie spannmålsprodukter och socker (in Swedish only)
Use the criterion or criteria which best suits your organization’s needs, goals and capacity to monitor compliance. Indicate in the document specifically which products are to fulfil the requirement and be sure to inform yourself of market access. It is also important to state how the tenderer should respond to the criteria and what verification (means of evidence) is to be provided.