Well-loved Kiwi Confectionery Brand, RJ’s New Zealand, Removes Controversial Ingredient From Its Products

• RJ’s confectionery products are now 100% Palm Oil Free

Palm Oil is found in up to 50% of all supermarket products, but New Zealand labelling laws mean it can simply be claimed as “vegetable oil” on the packaging

RJ’s New Zealand reviewed all their ingredients and changed the recipe in any product where palm oil was an existing ingredient

Palm oil is high in saturated fat. One tablespoon of palm oil contains 55% percent of the daily recommendation of saturated fat

In the past 10 years, the orangutan population has decreased by 50 percent as a result of habitat loss from forest clearing for palm plantations

RJ’s commitment to sustainability has removed 100 tonnes of palm oil per annum from supply, which is the equivalent of 38 rugby fields of deforestation

RJ’s employ over 120 people at their Levin based factory

RJ’s range include Mackintosh’s, Oddfellows, Fabulicious, Heards, as well as old favourites like Black Knight and RJ’s Licorice Logs, Allsorts, Twists, Balls and Bullets

New Zealand based confectionery brand, RJ’s, has announced as of 5 July, they will be 100% Palm Oil Free, and are urging Kiwis to “Ask The Question” about what’s in their food.

Palm oil is found in up to 50% of all supermarket products, from food to cleaners to cosmetics, but many people don’t know it because under New Zealand labelling laws it can simply be claimed as “vegetable oil” on the packaging.

The iconic confectionery company, who operate from their factory in Levin, have not only removed palm oil, but it has also worked with its suppliers, to make sure all ingredients being used in RJ’s products are 100% Palm Oil Free.

Jason Clements, RJ’s Confectionery General Manager for New Zealand and International, is proud of the commitment they’re making to the environment.

“Here at RJ’s, our new Mission Statement is “Makes it Better” and going 100% Palm Oil Free is an exciting step in our journey,” he says. “Ultimately, we are both manufacturers and consumers and we know that it is our consumption habits that are driving an increasing need for palm oil. If we can both educate and provide a better alternative – then it will hopefully make a small difference to what has become a large environmental problem”.

“Very few New Zealand companies have made this step with both cost and complexity proving a barrier however we know it is important to our customers with our Kiwi lolly lovers asking us to do more. We’re excited to share this first step in our sustainability journey with them. When consumers ask for better from businesses like ours, they can effect real change”.

RJ’s is hoping that this accomplishment will encourage other Kiwi companies to follow suit, and truly believe that going Palm Oil Free is a great step towards a better future for the planet.

“Sustainability isn’t just a consumer trend businesses’ need to react to, it’s simply the right thing to do” says Clements, “We’re committed to providing the best product to our customers and we can now show real proof that we’re doing something better for our lollies, our customers, the planet, the rainforests and endangered animals like the orangutan.”

Removing palm oil and its derivatives from RJ’s range of products was a journey in itself. Over the course of three years, the business reviewed all ingredients across their supply chain, and, after rigorous testing and trialing to ensure that the RJ’s products Kiwi’s know and love remained the same, decided that both coconut and rice bran oil were the best alternatives from an environmental perspective, as well as a quality and flavour one.

To make way for palm oil plantations, rainforests in Southeast Asia are being cleared at an alarming rate, equivalent to around 300 rugby fields every hour, to keep up with the demand. This causes the loss of irreplaceable habitat, wildlife endangerment and enormous CO2 emissions.

From 5 July, every single RJ’s product made will be guaranteed 100% Palm Oil Free. These products will start to hit supermarket shelves through July, and while it will take a few months to phase out older products, customers can be confident that they are purchasing from a brand that is trying to make a difference.

RJ’s New Zealand’s confectionery is enjoyed all across New Zealand and globally. They employ over 120 people in Levin and are proud of the contribution they make to the local community.

World famous for their delicious licorice, RJ’s also makes some of New Zealand’s favourite confectionery brands, which were added to their existing range in 2018.

The full RJ’s product lineup includes iconic Kiwi lollies like Mackintosh’s, Oddfellows, Fabulicious and Heards as well as old favourites like Black Knight and RJ’s Licorice Logs, Allsorts, Twists, Balls and Bullets.

For the full list of products, please visit the RJ’s website, https://rjs.nz/

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