Enjoy Life Foods is a leader in allergy-friendly foods, offering a range of consumer packaged goods that are free from common allergens. Recently, the Chicago-based brand, owned by Mondelez, has begun eliminating another problematic ingredient: palm oil. Enjoy Life Foods has become the first food company to receive the Certified Palm Oil Free designation from the International Palm Oil Free Certification Accreditation Programme (POFCAP). Their new Grain & Seed Bars are the inaugural product made without palm oil, followed by reformulated Protein Bites set to launch in June. By that time, eight SKUs from Enjoy Life Foods will proudly display this certification.
Joel Warady, Enjoy Life Foods’ general manager and chief marketing officer, shared with Food Dive via email, “Our objective is to show that it is possible to create delicious food without relying on an ingredient that more consumers are choosing to avoid.” He noted that while many global food brands, including theirs, have committed to sourcing sustainable palm oil, Enjoy Life Foods aims to elevate their sustainability efforts. The feedback from retail partners has been overwhelmingly positive, as they recognize the increasing consumer awareness surrounding palm oil and appreciate the company’s commitment to meeting these needs.
Warady elaborated on the challenges faced by the company, stating, “Our first step was to create a great-tasting product that is not only gluten-free and free from 14 allergens but is also palm oil-free. This was our greatest challenge.” Although the company is moving towards palm oil-free products, many of their items still contain palm oil, which they ensure is sustainably sourced through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
Established in August 2017, the POFCAP certification program is the only international initiative that certifies food products as palm oil-free. The independent organization, based in Australia, is recognized in several countries, including the U.S., U.K., Spain, Austria, and Sweden. Bev Luff, co-founder and program manager, explained that the certification process is product-based and involves thorough assessments of potential palm oil-derived ingredients.
POFCAP has certified 239 products and five companies as palm oil-free, aiming for its certification to be recognized alongside significant international trademarks like Fair Trade and Gluten Free. Warady emphasized that such certifications can enhance brand loyalty and positively impact a food manufacturer’s bottom line. He pointed out that consumers are increasingly loyal to brands that obtain certifications, as these signify transparency and build trust. According to Nielsen, 66% of global consumers are willing to spend more on products from companies committed to making a positive social and environmental impact.
Palm oil is the most widely used vegetable oil globally and a common ingredient in many U.S. food products. Approximately 85% of palm oil is produced and exported from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The clearing and burning of rainforests for palm oil plantations devastate habitats for wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and orangutans, while also impacting forest-dwelling communities and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations has identified palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia as significant contributors to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
Despite efforts by various companies and NGOs, only 17% of palm oil in use today is classified as “non-conflict,” meaning it does not harm the environment or infringe on human rights. This ongoing issue has led many large food manufacturers to seek sustainable alternatives and reduce their palm oil usage. Danone, for instance, has committed to sourcing 100% sustainable palm oil, a goal it has achieved. Other companies, such as Conagra, Mars, Hershey, Unilever, General Mills, PepsiCo, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, and Kellogg, are also making progress, while brands like Nestlé, Smucker, Campbell, and Tyson’s Hillshire Brands still have work to do.
Warady noted that Enjoy Life Foods’ pursuit of the POFCAP certification aims to encourage other companies to recognize the broader implications of palm oil consumption. He stated, “For those considering certification, we urge you to embrace this movement towards environmentally sustainable food production.” Reflecting on the company’s earlier certification as gluten-free, he remarked, “We were pioneers in this area, and we hope that this palm oil-free certification can inspire a similar wave of commitment toward a more sustainable food future.”
In addition to these initiatives, the importance of incorporating nutritional supplements, such as uses of calcium citrate malate tablets, can further support health-conscious consumers. As the market continues to evolve, integrating such supplements into product offerings could align with the growing consumer demand for health and sustainability.