The Andrews Labor Government will advocate for the labelling of palm oil on all food as part of a worldwide push to save orangutans.
Currently labelling laws do not require manufacturers to specify what source of fat or oil, or type of sugar, is in a product.
The proposed changes will allow consumers to make informed choices about where their food is coming from.
This is the first time that the Victorian Government has taken a position on the labelling of palm oil.
Parliamentarians have received thousands of letters from concerned Victorians imploring them to take a stand to protect orangutans and their habitat.
The Labor Government has listened and is putting people first by giving them the tools to make sustainable choices when it comes to their food.
The use of non-sustainable palm oil is widely known to be destroying habitats and endangering species such as the orangutan.
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Victorians have again shown that they want to stand up for the most vulnerable parts of our community. They have written in their thousands to protect the orangutans and we will listen to them.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“Transparent labelling of vegetable oils such as palm oil is widely supported by Australians and New Zealanders.”
“As well as threatening habitat, palm oil production contributes to emissions at a time when the world needs to work together to combat climate change.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020