Rimini, Italy – The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) proudly supported a pivotal session at the 22nd IUFoST World Congress held at the Palacongressi di Rimini, Italy, from 8-12 September 2024. This session, titled “Navigating the Crossroad of Human Health and Sustainability”, brought together global experts to delve into the complex relationship between dietary fats, human health, and sustainability, with a focus on palm oil.

The discourse underscored the need to re-examine the generalisations surrounding saturated fats, particularly those found in palm oil, and highlighted the sustainable practices in palm oil production that address both environmental concerns and food security.

Reassessing Saturated Fats and Their Impact on Health

Prof. Francesco Visioli from the University of Padova presented a sophisticated perspective on saturated fats, often misunderstood in public health discourse. While foods like palm oil, coconut oil, butter, and animal fats have been criticised for their potential role in raising cholesterol and increasing cardiovascular disease risk, Prof. Visioli emphasised that the effects vary based on their sources – whether from meat, dairy, or plants. His presentation, which includes data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, reveals a more complex picture where factors such as lifestyle, dietary habits, and fat-processing methods play significant roles in determining health outcomes.

Prof. Visioli further argued that trans fats, rather than saturated fats, are the primary contributors to poor heart health. He called for a move towards precision nutrition, which tailors dietary advice to individual responses to fats, rather than generalized dietary warnings.

Challenging Misconceptions about Palmitic Acid in Palm Oil

The session featured a discussion by Dr. Roger Clemens (University of Southern California), Dr. Peter Pressman (University of Maine), and Dr. Walles Hayes (University of South Florida), who addressed misconceptions about palmitic acid – a fatty acid in palm oil and the human body. The experts dismissed claims that link palm oil’s high palmitic acid content to cancer, noting that such assertions lack credible scientific evidence. Palmitic acid is not only prevalent in palm oil but also constitutes a significant portion of human milk and infant fat stores. The panellists emphasised the need for more rigorous research focused on human health to better understand the role of palmitic acid, rather than relying on oversimplified or unrealistic experimental models.

Promoting Sustainability and Food Security through Palm Oil

Highlighting Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability, Dr. David Ross Appleton of SD Guthrie Berhad, one of Malaysia’s leading palm oil producers, elaborated on the critical role of palm oil in global food security. He cautioned that shifting to less efficient vegetable oil sources could exacerbate environmental challenges, such as deforestation and biodiversity loss, due to increased land requirements. Dr. Appleton underscored the effectiveness of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification in ensuring responsible palm oil production that does not contribute to deforestation or peat exploitation.

Moreover, he shared SD Guthrie’s goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to adopt circular economy practices. This includes initiatives to improve worker conditions, food safety, and quality through optimized harvesting, minimized handling, and advanced processing techniques.

MPOC’s Role in Promoting Sustainable and Healthy Palm Oil Practices

Belvinder Sron, CEO of MPOC said, “MPOC’s support of this session at the IUFoST World Congress demonstrates our ongoing commitment to addressing misconceptions about palm oil while promoting sustainable practices that align with global health and environmental goals.” “The discussions at the Congress reaffirmed the importance of taking a sophisticated approach to dietary fats and emphasised the need for sustainable and ethical palm oil production practices,” she added.

About Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC)

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is dedicated to promoting Malaysia as a global leader in certified sustainable palm oil. MPOC focuses on positioning Malaysian palm oil as a healthy, sustainable, and ethical choice for consumers worldwide by engaging with stakeholders, improving market access, and promoting the MSPO certification.

MPOC has a network of regional offices in various international locations and plays a crucial role in expanding Malaysia’s palm oil industry by identifying and capitalising on market trends. The palm oil sector is a significant pillar of the Malaysian economy, contributing RM 105 billion in export earnings in 2023, making up 23% of the world’s palm oil production and 30% of total palm oil exports.

For more information on MPOC and Malaysian palm oil, visit www.mpoc.org.my