Two major firms join zoo's
campaign for sustainable palm oil
Two UK food industry leaders have committed to protecting the world’s forests by becoming Sustainable Palm Oil Ambassadors.
Today (Tuesday 2 December), Chester Zoo announced that KTC, a leading supplier of food oils, and The Compleat Food Group, a major food manufacturer, have joined the programme, which is run by Chester Zoo to combat deforestation in palm oil supply chains.
As ambassadors, both companies have pledged to use palm oil sourced from deforestation-free, sustainable sources and to promote the use of sustainable palm oil to protect vulnerable habitats.
Eleanor Evans, Deforestation-free Campaigns Project Officer at Chester Zoo, said:
"We are delighted that these two forward-thinking companies have joined forces with us in this campaign. It’s vital that deforestation free palm oil becomes standard, and its only through championing this, sourcing responsibly and increased transparency that we can start to shift the dial to make it the norm. We hope that this will inspire other businesses to drive positive change!"
Chester Zoo began its work on sustainable palm oil in 2012 and has been collaborating with partners in oil palm-dominated landscapes in Borneo for two decades. While palm oil often receives criticism for unsustainable production driving large-scale rainforest destruction in Sumatra, Borneo, and other regions, it is not inherently bad. It is versatile and highly efficient, producing 10–15 times more oil per acre than alternative sources—meaning switching to other oils can sometimes worsen deforestation.
By supporting deforestation-free, sustainable palm oil production, ambassadors incentivise growers to farm in forest-friendly ways, helping to protect rainforests and the wildlife that depends on them.
David Moore, Group ESG Director at The Compleat Food Group, said:
*"At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to stand alongside Chester Zoo as Sustainable Palm Oil Ambassadors. Our mission is to create Food to Feel Good, food that’s not only delicious and affordable, but also better for people and the planet.
"By joining this initiative, we’re reinforcing our commitment to sustainable sourcing and encouraging others across the industry to support the transition to responsible palm oil production. Together, we can protect vital habitats and drive meaningful change."*
Gary Lewis, Head of Business Development and Sustainability at KTC Edibles, said the company is proud to use and promote certified sustainable palm oil.
"Becoming a Communities Ambassador for Chester Zoo is the latest step in our mission to lead the way on the responsible sourcing of edible oils and to creating a more sustainable future for all."
Find out more about the Sustainable Palm Oil Ambassadors programme here: www.chesterzoo.org/SPOAmbassadors
About Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation zoo. Founded by the Mottershead family, it welcomed its first visitors on 10 June 1931. Three years later, it was registered as a non-profit charitable institution focused on education, conservation, and science. What began as a family-run zoo has grown into a globally renowned wildlife charity and national zoo, welcoming more than two million visitors a year and 165,000 members, who support its conservation mission.
Voted the best zoo in the UK by TripAdvisor, the 130-acre site in Chester is home to around 30,000 animals. The zoo participates in 139 international conservation breeding programmes and works with 62 conservation partners in 19 countries to protect wildlife, habitats, and communities. Chester Zoo’s experts are recognised globally as leaders in conservation.
About The Compleat Food Group
Founded in 2021, The Compleat Food Group is a purpose-driven food business on a mission to create Food to Feel Good—great quality, tasty, and affordable food that people love.
The company owns some of the UK’s most popular brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. It is also a leading supplier of own-label pastry, bakery items, party foods, olives, antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces, and plant-based foods to the UK’s major retailers and foodservice providers.
With over 6,000 employees across 17 sites and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, The Compleat Food Group is backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
About KTC
KTC Edibles, part of the Whitworths Food Group, is the UK’s leading supplier of edible oils and fats to foodservice, wholesalers, bakeries, and food manufacturers.
Founded in 1972, KTC employs over 410 people across two UK sites in Wednesbury and Liverpool, supplying more than 250 million litres of cooking oils annually to customers of all sizes across the UK food industry.
For more information about KTC, visit: www.ktcfoodgroup.co.uk