Smith's campaign for UCS takes huge step forward with General Mills promise to use only deforestation-free palm oil
General Mills has publicly committed to sourcing deforestation-free palm oil.
This represents a major turnaround from just a month ago, when the company performed poorly in the Union of Concerned Scientists scorecard of palm oil sourcing commitments by 30 top companies.
Sharon Smith, campaign manager with UCS's Tropical Forest & Climate Initiative, said: "Despite failing to make the grade on the scorecard, it seems General Mills is turning a new leaf.
"General Mills updated their policy to source responsible palm oil. The commitment protects peatlands, carbon-rich areas of decayed vegetation. General Mills expressly notes that it won't source palm oil from suppliers who develop peatlands."
Regarding the company's promise to implement its new policy by 2015, she added: "That's an appropriately ambitious timetable that will help accelerate a transition to cleaner palm oil production."
