Dr. Bronner’s Sources Certified Fair Trade and Organic Palm Kernel Oil from Ecuador

Company’s Sourcing from Natural Habitats in Ecuador will Help Sustainable Oil Palm Project to Thrive

April 20, 2015

VISTA, CA – Dr. Bronner’s, family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America is now sourcing certified Fair Trade and Organic palm kernel oil for use in its renowned liquid soaps.

“As our company continues to grow, we are able to partner with more and more organic and fair trade projects around the world, thereby supporting organic farming practices, fair wages, and economic development,” says David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s. “Adding organic and fair trade palm kernel oil to our soaps allows us to support the good work being done by Natural Habitats in Ecuador, where small-scale farmers grow oil palms sustainably and receive a fair price for their palm fruits. Because the fatty acid profile of coconut and palm kernel oils are so similar, they can used interchangeably in soap making, where they produce an identical rich and copious lather.”

No rainforest habitat or wildlife is harmed in the production of palm kernel oil from Natural Habitats, and the project is certified under IMO’s “Fair for Life” program, the most rigorous fair trade and sustainable certification in the world, that also certifies Dr. Bronner’s existing fair trade coconut and palm oil sister companies, Serendipol and Serendipalm.

“Extensive and careful evaluation as well as blind customer trials have confirmed that using a small amount of palm kernel oil alongside coconut oil results in no change to Dr. Bronner’s soaps’ unsurpassed quality,” explains Michael Bronner, Vice President of Dr. Bronner’s. “Thus we are excited to partner with Natural Habitiats and small-holder farmers who demonstrate how to produce palm kernel oil sustainably, and support their families and communities over the long-term.”

In 2006, Dr. Bronner’s committed to sourcing all major raw materials from certified Fair Trade and Organic projects around the world that ensure fair prices, living wages and community benefits for farmers, workers and their families. The company’s commitment to healthy and sustainable agriculture, corporate accountability, and consumers’ right to know is part of the company’s mission to put into practice the social and ecological principles that inform Dr. Bronner’s philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels.

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For further information on Dr. Bronner’s, please visit: https://info.drbronner.com.