Australia: Label Palm Oil, Save Rainforests

A new Australian bill would require labeling of all foods that contain palm oil. The hope is that by informing consumers of palm oil's presence in a product, they would choose something more environmentally sustainable and motivate palm oil producers to use more sustainable practices.

Palm oil -- often falling under the innocent label of "vegetable oil" -- is the cheapest cooking oil in the world. But its monetary appeal comes at a big price: palm oil plantations are replacing rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia, devastating the habitat of orangutans, tigers and other endangered species, as well as indigenous people.

Palm oil is found in many everyday foods, like margarine, bread and candy bars. It's 50% saturated fat, and Australians unknowingly consume 10 kilograms of it every year.

To curb destruction of the environment and our personal health, tell the Australian House of Representatives to support mandatory labeling of palm oil.