Efficiency Meets Sustainability: First-ever Fair Trade USA Certified Organic Palm Oil Now Available

MIAMI, October 14, 2016/ 3BL Media/ -  Socially and environmentally conscious cooks can now bake their cake and eat it, too. Today Daabon Group announced it has achieved the first-ever Fair Trade USA certification of a palm oil product. 

The product, Hain Celestial’s Spectrum® Organic All Vegetable Shortening, comes from rural, small-scale farmers in the Magdalena Region of Colombia. Daabon’s focus on sustainable production methods, farmer empowerment and long-term community development was recognized by Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America.

Palm oil is the most efficient oil crop in the world, offering up to nine times more oil than soybean and more than five times more oil than canola per acre. Additionally, palm oil is the most used vegetable oil crop in the world, used in over 50 percent of packaged consumer food products. 

Unfortunately, the industry has been linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in many countries where it is produced.

In the face of those concerns, the Daabon Group offers a refreshing alternative. A family-owned company based in Colombia, Daabon has a long history of incorporating sustainable business practices into all aspects of its production processes, including environmental and social programs. 

“We have always worked from a belief that palm oil can achieve a positive impact on not only the food industry but also the regions in which it is produced, when managed correctly,” said Manuel Davila, CEO of the Daabon Group. “We are proud to partner with Fair Trade USA to bring these products to market and create new and better economic opportunities for palm growers in Colombia.” 

In addition to earning the industry’s only Fair Trade USA certification, Daabon’s products have received certificates from the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Rainforest Alliance, a nongovernmental organization committed to maintaining biodiversity. Daabon’s palm oil products are recognized by manufacturers worldwide for their numerous nutritional benefits, great taste and product performance. Palm oil is cost-effective and resists oxidation and rancidity, which extends shelf life and offers the same or better functionality as oils or shortenings that cost more. 

Daabon Group’s entire international operations demonstrate dedication to sustainability, innovation and quality. This is evidenced within every division of Daabon, from on-site recycling programs to the development of new energy saving production techniques.

Fair Trade USA works to help farmers develop sustainable livelihoods and become better stewards of the land. The rigorous Fair Trade standards address a range of issues including child and forced labor, safe working conditions and environmental protection. The Fair Trade Community Development Premium is also a critical part of Fair Trade. That program allows Fair Trade farmers to earn additional funds with every sale, to be used on much-needed community projects like healthcare, education, agricultural training and business development.

For Hain Celestial, the Fair Trade certification of its Spectrum® Organic All Vegetable Shortening is a natural extension of the company’s overall commitment to natural, sustainable consumer products.

“Consumers and our retail customers want to know that palm farmers are treated fairly, and working with Fair Trade USA and Daabon allows us to meet our consumers’ needs,” said Jessica Sobel, senior director of sustainability at Hain Celestial Group, Inc. “The Fair Trade certification of Spectrum® Organic All Vegetable Shortening reflects a shared commitment to empower farmers and protect the environment.”

About Daabon Group
Headquartered in Colombia, the Daabon Group is a pioneering leader in the sustainable and organic industries. Founded in 1914, this entrepreneurial family-run company provides employment for more than 2,000 people on five continents. The company operates as a vertically integrated supply chain that grows, processes, packs and distributes organic palm oil, bananas, coffee, cocoa, soap and glycerin (from palm oil) to the North American market and worldwide through their offices in the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and Peru. The Daabon Group's mission is to offer high-quality organic products worldwide while maintaining the integrity and wellbeing of employees, neighboring communities, and stakeholders, as well as the health of our natural and environmental resources. www.Daabon.com

About Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
The Hain Celestial Group (Nasdaq: HAIN), headquartered in Lake Success, NY, is a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe and India. Hain Celestial participates in many natural categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings®, Earth's Best®, Ella's Kitchen®, Terra®, Garden of Eatin'®, Sensible Portions®, Health Valley®, Arrowhead Mills®, MaraNatha®, SunSpire®, DeBoles®, Casbah®, Rudi's Organic Bakery®, Hain Pure Foods®, Spectrum®, Spectrum Essentials®, Imagine®, Almond Dream®, Rice Dream®, Soy Dream®, WestSoy®, The Greek Gods®, BluePrint®, FreeBird®, Plainville Farms®, Empire®, Kosher Valley®, Yves Veggie Cuisine®, Europe's Best®, Cully & Sully®, New Covent Garden Soup Co.®, Johnson's Juice Co.®, Farmhouse Fare®, Hartley's®, Sun-Pat®, Gale's®, Robertson's®, Frank Cooper's®, Linda McCartney®, Lima®, Danival®, Joya®, Natumi®, GG UniqueFiber®, Tilda®, JASON®, Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica®, Live Clean® and Queen Helene®. Hain Celestial has been providing A Healthier Way of Life™ since 1993. www.hain.com

About Fair Trade USA 
Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers; protects fragile ecosystems; and builds strong, transparent supply chains through independent, third-party certification. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified™ label signifies that rigorous standards have been met in the production, trade and promotion of Fair Trade products from over 80 countries across the globe. Recognized as a leading social venture by the Clinton Global Initiative, the Skoll Foundation and Ashoka, Fair Trade USA also provides critical capacity-building programs at origin, and educates consumers about the power of their purchase. www.FairTradeUSA.org