15/07/2009 (Business Green) - New Zealand's Auckland Zoo has removed Cadbury chocolates from its shelves after the confectionery maker moved to substitute some of the cocoa solids in its products with palm oil from South Asia plantations.

The zoo's conservation officer, Peter Fraser, told local newspaper the Sunday Star-Times: "We are advocates for wildlife. The biggest threat for animals is encroaching palm oil plantations."

Auckland Zoo is home to orangutans, gibbons and Sumatran tigers – the very species that are under threat due to deforestation in South Asia, noted Fraser.

Green groups have accused palm oil plantations of illegally clearing tropical rainforests to expand their operations.

The zoo sold Cadbury chocolates in its shops and restaurant up until last week. Palm oil products still form part of the zoo's animal feed, although it said alternatives are being sought.

The palm oil ban has also been adopted on a personal level by Auckland Zoo's keepers, who have been weaning themselves off products containing palm oil, such as instant noodles, Milo milk drink and shaving cream.

New Zealand consumers are also stepping up pressure on Cadbury to find an alternative to palm oil in its products. An online petition, which has so far received more than 1,300 signatures, is calling on the company to remove palm oil from its products.

Additionally, plans are underway for a petition urging the national parliament to issue public warnings on palm oil.

In addressing consumer concerns, Cadbury spokesman Daniel Ellis told the Star-Times that the candy maker is a member of industry body Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, which oversees sustainability standards and practices.