Belgian retailer Delhaize Group has announced its commitment to a “no deforestation policy” as part of a move towards sourcing fully traceable palm oil.

The firm yesterday (17 February) set a target of 2020 for when all the palm oil it sources for its own-label products is “100% traceable and deforestation-free”. The retailer wants 80% to meet those criteria by 2018.

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In 2012, Delhaize had stated a goal of ensuring it was only using “sustainable” palm oil for own-label products. Of the 80% of private-label food products it evaluated 20% of the palm oil used was certified sustainable.

Delhaize said yesterday it was “important customers had the confidence the palm oil used in its products was sourced responsibly and through verified sources that do not contribute to deforestation”.

Megan Hellstedt, Delhaize’s group vice president of sustainability, added: “We are pleased with our progress to date in increasing the visibility and transparency of palm oil in our private-brand products and are happy that, with added knowledge about our supply chain, we can accelerate our commitment to responsibly sourcing 80% of our palm oil by 2018.

“Reaching this commitment, however, will take collaborative effort across the palm oil supply chain. We look forward to continued engagement with our suppliers, other retailers, NGOs, and palm oil producers in the transformation to responsibly-sourced palm oil.”

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Yesterday (17 February), Kellogg pledged it would work with palm oil suppliers to source fully traceable batches of the product.