Is Palm Oil Bad for You?
A Common Ingredient with Hidden Consequences
You’ve probably heard that palm oil isn’t the best for the planet or for your health. But what exactly is it — and why does it seem to show up everywhere?
Palm oil is a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil commonly used in food, beauty, and household products. In fact, it’s present in roughly half of all consumer goods, including items like skincare, soap, makeup, animal feed, cleaning supplies, and packaged foods.
In personal care products, palm oil helps remove dirt and condition the skin. In food, it became a popular replacement for hydrogenated oils after the FDA banned trans fats in 2018. And in nut butters, many companies add palm oil to reduce oil separation and improve shelf stability — even if it means compromising on health and sustainability.
But convenience comes at a cost.
The Environmental and Health Costs of Palm Oil
Palm Oil’s Environmental and Social Impact
So, what’s the down side to palm oil? First, as the most produced and consumed oil in the world, the production of palm oil has a major impact on the environment. The vast majority of palm oil comes from Southeast Asia - mainly Indonesia and Malaysia - where millions of acres of forests have been cleared to make room for palm oil plantations. This high level of deforestation significantly affects the habitats of local wildlife, including endangered species such as orangutans, elephants, and tigers. And beyond animals and plant life, many indigenous communities are driven out of their homes, and sometimes are forced to become laborers on the very same plantations that were once their own land. Palm oil is no friend to your health, either. While it is, in fact, trans-fat-free, it has very high levels of saturated fat can be detrimental to human health. In fact, one study showed that a diet high in palm oil can result in elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (that's not the good kind, either).
Why We Never Use Palm Oil in Our Nut Butters
Clean Ingredients, No Compromises
Knowing what we do about palm oil, it was a no-brainer for us to choose not to use it in our products. But beyond the obvious drawbacks of this additive, our decision also stems from one of our core values: the simpler, the better. For us, keeping all our products as clean as possible, using the fewest ingredients possible, and avoiding harmful industry standard processes are all very important. But how do we achieve such great flavor and consistency with only 1-2 ingredients in each of our products? It’s simple - we maintain incredibly high standards for sourcing our ingredients (read: we’re picky AF). As Zach discussed in our recent podcast interview, we searched high and low until we found the perfect peanut for our ideal peanut butter, the perfect almond for our ideal almond butter, and the perfect berries for our ideal jams. By using such carefully sourced ingredients, we were able to create a better tasting nut butter without the use of additives. We take a lot of pride in having a clean label - meaning we take as much pride in what we do put into our products as what we don’t. And while that may result in a little oil separation in our jars (here’s a helpful video on how to deal with that), we believe that’s a good thing - it’s an indication that you’re getting an incredibly clean, all-natural product, that’s completely free of palm oil. Or as we like to say, it’s "Clean AF".
Why Ingredient Transparency Matters
Knowing Exactly What’s in Your Food
Consumers today are savvier than ever — reading labels, researching ingredients, and holding brands accountable. That’s why we believe transparency isn’t optional — it’s essential. If you’re asking, “Is palm oil bad for you?”, you deserve a clear answer, not industry spin.
Many brands use palm oil without disclosing its sourcing, environmental impact, or health trade-offs. At Spread The Love, we’ve taken the opposite approach: our ingredient lists are short, simple, and honest. No additives to improve shelf life. No misleading health claims. Just high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients you can feel good about eating.
We share everything — not just what’s in our jars, but why it’s there (or not there). If there’s a better, cleaner, more sustainable way to do something, that’s the route we take. Our Clean AF philosophy isn’t just branding — it’s our everyday practice.
Choosing Palm Oil-Free Products Makes a Difference
Small Choices Create Real Impact
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. When you choose palm oil-free nut butters, you’re not just skipping saturated fat — you’re helping reduce deforestation, protect endangered species, and support fairer treatment of global communities.
We know that one jar of almond or peanut butter won’t solve the world’s problems. But imagine the impact if millions of people made the same choice. That’s how change happens: one clean-label decision at a time.
By opting for brands that prioritize clean ingredients and ethical sourcing, you help push the entire industry forward. Demand creates movement — and we’re proud to be part of the palm oil-free movement that’s gaining traction across food, skincare, and home products.
Whether you're driven by health, sustainability, or just want a better-tasting nut butter, know this: your choice matters.
Join Us in Choosing Better
At Spread The Love, we believe better is always possible — better food, better choices, better impact. Our commitment to clean ingredients, full transparency, and palm oil-free products isn’t just a tagline — it’s a promise we keep in every jar.
So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Is palm oil bad for you?”, now you know. And now you have an alternative.
You can find all of our delicious, clean-label nut butters — made with just 1–2 simple ingredients — at SpreadTheLoveFoods.com or on Amazon (whichever works best for your pantry restock game 🛒).
Thanks for choosing clean. Thanks for choosing better. Thanks for choosing Spread The Love. 💛
I’m so impressed with everything about your company! Thank you for explaining so clearly all about palm oil. I will be ordering from your company in the near future.
Meanwhile, I’m sending love and prayers for you to cope with the devastation from the wildfires.
Very helpful.