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Arla Foods Confirmed To Remove No-Oil Palm Labels On Its Lurpak Products Thursday, 5 October 2017
Arla Foods Confirmed To Remove No-Oil Palm Labels On Its Lurpak Products Thursday, 5 October 2017
09/10/2017 (Bernama) - The Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong held a discussion with Ms Nina Hvid Talvela, Minister Counsellor, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries from the Royal Danish Embassy and representatives from Arla Foods in Kuala Lumpur on 5th October 2017.
The discussion was held on issues related to trade in palm oil, particularly on anti-palm oil campaigns and negative labeling of palm oil products.
YB Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities expressed his displeasure over the negative labeling or “No palm oil” label on products by the Danish companies.
On 16th September 2017, YB Minister’s media article published by the Star brought the issues of “no palm oil” labels to wider attention. The media article – “Ethical Labelling: The Way to Go” – highlighted Arla Foods’ use of “no palm oil” labels in Malaysia.
Since YB Minister’s article was published, Arla Foods has taken action to remove from sale in Malaysia all products bearing “no palm oil” or “palm oil free” labels as it discriminates against unfairly palm oil.
All of the affected labels and products are expected to be removed from sale within 60 days. During the meeting, Arla Foods confirmed that this action will take place.
In this regard, YB Minister expressed his satisfaction that Arla Foods has agreed to his request to withdraw the labels. This is a positive move to benefit Malaysian oil palm smallholders, growers, and for consumers.
During the meeting, YB Minister emphasized that palm oil remains an important lifeline for rural communities as 650,000 smallholders depend on it and produce 40% of the production. In addition, about 2 million others directly and indirectly benefit from the palm oil industry.
The palm oil industry is also an important contributor to GDP and export earnings. Therefore, the government will assiduously counter any negative campaign against it; be it domestically or abroad.
YB Minister reiterated Malaysia’s commitment in ensuring the production of sustainable palm oil through the mandatory implementation of MSPO by December 2019.
In this regard, YB Minister proposed that the Government of Denmark work closely with Malaysia to obtain recognition of MSPO in Denmark and the European Union.
This is in line with the pledge by the Government of Denmark through the signing of the Amsterdam Declaration in December 2015 to promote and support a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain by 2020.
The Danish Embassy and Arla Foods expressed its firm support for Malaysian small farmers and committed to work with the Ministry on policies related to palm oil and other commodities.
They also expressed their support for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and said they will work with Malaysia in correcting the negative perception of palm oil.
In conclusion, YB Minister reiterated that the government is committed to continuing the efforts to oppose the negative campaigns against palm oil. All companies operating inside Malaysia should respect Malaysia’s national culture, and national commodities.
YB DATUK SERI MAH SIEW KEONG
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities
Source : MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : KARTINA BINTI HAMZAH
Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Tel : 03-88878236 / 019-3932983
Fax : 03-8887 8205
Email : kartina@mpic.gov.my
--BERNAMA
The discussion was held on issues related to trade in palm oil, particularly on anti-palm oil campaigns and negative labeling of palm oil products.
YB Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities expressed his displeasure over the negative labeling or “No palm oil” label on products by the Danish companies.
On 16th September 2017, YB Minister’s media article published by the Star brought the issues of “no palm oil” labels to wider attention. The media article – “Ethical Labelling: The Way to Go” – highlighted Arla Foods’ use of “no palm oil” labels in Malaysia.
Since YB Minister’s article was published, Arla Foods has taken action to remove from sale in Malaysia all products bearing “no palm oil” or “palm oil free” labels as it discriminates against unfairly palm oil.
All of the affected labels and products are expected to be removed from sale within 60 days. During the meeting, Arla Foods confirmed that this action will take place.
In this regard, YB Minister expressed his satisfaction that Arla Foods has agreed to his request to withdraw the labels. This is a positive move to benefit Malaysian oil palm smallholders, growers, and for consumers.
During the meeting, YB Minister emphasized that palm oil remains an important lifeline for rural communities as 650,000 smallholders depend on it and produce 40% of the production. In addition, about 2 million others directly and indirectly benefit from the palm oil industry.
The palm oil industry is also an important contributor to GDP and export earnings. Therefore, the government will assiduously counter any negative campaign against it; be it domestically or abroad.
YB Minister reiterated Malaysia’s commitment in ensuring the production of sustainable palm oil through the mandatory implementation of MSPO by December 2019.
In this regard, YB Minister proposed that the Government of Denmark work closely with Malaysia to obtain recognition of MSPO in Denmark and the European Union.
This is in line with the pledge by the Government of Denmark through the signing of the Amsterdam Declaration in December 2015 to promote and support a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain by 2020.
The Danish Embassy and Arla Foods expressed its firm support for Malaysian small farmers and committed to work with the Ministry on policies related to palm oil and other commodities.
They also expressed their support for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and said they will work with Malaysia in correcting the negative perception of palm oil.
In conclusion, YB Minister reiterated that the government is committed to continuing the efforts to oppose the negative campaigns against palm oil. All companies operating inside Malaysia should respect Malaysia’s national culture, and national commodities.
YB DATUK SERI MAH SIEW KEONG
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities
Source : MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : KARTINA BINTI HAMZAH
Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Tel : 03-88878236 / 019-3932983
Fax : 03-8887 8205
Email : kartina@mpic.gov.my
--BERNAMA