Union of Concerned Scientists praises General Mills for palm oil decision

A General Mills decision to obtain all of the palm oil it uses in its products from responsible and sustainable sources by 2015 is winning praise from a major environmental group.

Earlier this month, the Union of Concerned Scientists said General Mills, like other food companies, had not made an adequate commitment to assure palm oil it uses doesn't contribute to increased deforestation. But the environmental group is now applauding General Mills for affirming that commitment.

"This means General Mills will only work with suppliers that can prove they are not cutting down forests to plant new palm oil plantations," said Sharon Smith, a spokesman for the Union of Concerned Scientists. "It also means that General Mills will be tracing its supply chain so that it knows where its oil is coming from and that it's not supporting practices out of line with its environmental and social commitments."

General Mills officials say the company is a relatively minor user of palm oil but now gets about half of its palm oil from sustainable sources.

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