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It was in 1917 when the first oil palm tree was planted in British Malaya. 72 years later, in 1989, palm oil surpassed rubber as Malaysia’s number one commodity. It was sometime in 2005 when palm oil surpassed soybean oil in becoming the world’s main vegetable oil. Three years later in 2008, Malaysia became the first country to produce certified sustainable palm oil. Today, it is the second largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil in the world after Indonesia. Last year alone, the local palm oil industry generated 63.7 billion Ringgit in export earnings and created more than 2 million jobs nationwide. Palm oil is now the most important vegetable oil in the world with some 85% making its way into the food industry. Palm oil is consumed by 3 billion people globally, and not everybody has it as their preferred cooking oil. So, how else is MPO consumed?

    MPO’s versatility in the food industry is especially impressive, from foods dry to wet and creamy to crispy, you can find this product in more than 50% of packaged goods in any supermarket. MPO is widely used in chocolate making as it is an affordable alternative to cocoa butter.

    MPO is widely chosen for this highly crucial process mainly because of the qualities of the oil, which will directly influence the taste, stability, and texture of the overall product. MPO is commonly known to be a bland oil – it does not contribute its own flavour and instead allows target ingredients to shine. 

   MPO is commonly used in baking in many, many ways. MPO’s almost equivalent saturated to unsaturated fatty acid distribution makes it unnecessary for it to be hydrogenated, saving cost to the food manufacturer. Hydrogenated fats result in trans-fat, which has been linked to heart disease. MPO is also the preferred choice in margarine for the very same reason, as it naturally becomes solid at room temperature.

   Because MPO is of plant origin, it is halal, kosher, and may also be claimed as vegan friendly. It is also suitable for those with lactose intolerance. MPO is used in many other food and non-food items. Being the most efficient oil crop in the world, this certified sustainable harvest will continue to ensure food security globally for years to come. MPO is the common ingredient in delicious food.

  Credit: https://palmoiltv.org/web/2020/08/14/the-common-ingredient-in-delicious-food-3/