7000 signatures for clearer labelling
1.30 pm August 29th 2013
Press release from Unmask Palm Oil
Unmask Palm Oil have today presented their petition to parliament calling for clearer labelling of palm oil. The
petition received 7400 signatures and was received by Jacinda Ardern, Damien O’Connor, Mojo Mathers, Te Ururoa Flavell
and Barbara Stewart.
Ben Dowdle, Unmask Palm Oil Campaign Coordinator says: “A small change to our confusing labelling laws would allow
consumers to know which products are using palm oil. There is a widespread feeling that consumers deserve better
information to allow them to make better choices, palm oil labelling is part of that.”
“We hope that the Minister of Food Safety, Nikki Kaye, will take note. To have such strong support from the parties and
7400 signatures behind us from around the country shows that labelling is inevitable.”
The proposal for mandatory labelling of all vegetable oils will soon be in front of the Minister as part of a
comprehensive review of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The change requires the support of food safety
Ministers from New Zealand and the states of Australia.
Photo credit: Ella Soryl
ENDS
About Unmask Palm Oil:
Unmask Palm Oil is a campaign with the simple aim of mandatory palm oil labelling in New Zealand. Currently palm oil can
be labelled as any one of 200 different scientific names or generically as vegetable oil. For more information see:
www.unmaskpalmoil.co.nz
http://www.facebook.com/Unmask.Palm.Oil.Demand.Labelling