25/10/2011 (Purcon) - People in purchasing jobs at McDonald's will buy palm oil from sustainable sources after the firm announced a new procurement commitment.

The fast food retailer is now a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), joining the likes of Unilever and Cargill.

It said it will use only RSPO-certified palm oil in restaurants and pre-cooked chicken and potato products by 2015.

The move will primarily affect restaurants in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, where palm oil is used as a frying oil.

Francesca DeBiase, McDonald's vice-president for worldwide strategic sourcing, said: "Sustainability issues as they relate to food are often confusing to consumers, and we can help lead the way by educating our customers on how our food is sourced."

The move by one of the world's largest consumer foods brands is a "reflection of the increasing demand for sustainable palm oil in consumer markets", said Darrel Webber, RSPO secretary general.

Sustainable palm oil has hit the headlines recently after a Greenpeace report on deforestation in Indonesia blamed one of the major producers of the ingredient, Sinar Mas.

Following the revelations, Burger King and Unilever were among a number of companies to sever ties with the company.