Vegan for the Planet: How Swedish Eco-Activists Can Outsmart Unsustainable Palm Oil

You’re standing in the aisles of Coop or ICA. Oat milk in one hand, vegan spread in the other. You want to make the right choice — not just for animals, but for forests, climate, and future generations. The packaging says “plant-based.” It looks green. But somewhere in the ingredients list hides a familiar troublemaker: palm oil.

As a Swedish eco-activist, you already know that being vegan isn’t just about what you don’t eat. It’s about aligning everyday shopping with your environmental values. And in Sweden — a country that prides itself on sustainability leadership — palm oil remains one of the most frustrating contradictions in vegan food.

The Hidden Problem: Palm Oil and the Environmental Cost Behind “Vegan” Labels

Palm oil itself is plant-derived, so it technically fits a vegan diet. The real issue is how it’s produced. Globally, palm oil expansion has been a major driver of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions. Even in Europe, including Sweden, regulators have acknowledged that palm oil supply chains pose both environmental and health concerns.

From a health perspective, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has repeatedly flagged palm oil for containing process contaminants such as glycidyl esters (GE), 3-MCPD, and 2-MCPD, which form during high-temperature refining. EFSA’s assessments highlight that glycidyl esters are genotoxic and carcinogenic, meaning there is no safe exposure level, especially concerning for high consumers and younger age groups.

EFSA has also set a tolerable daily intake of 2 µg/kg body weight for 3-MCPD, noting that some consumers may still exceed safe levels through foods rich in palm fats like margarines and baked goods — staples even in vegan diets (EFSA, 2018; EFSA, process contaminants update).

Environmentally, Sweden has taken a strong stance. The Swedish Public Procurement Authority requires more sustainably produced palm oil, banning planting on peatlands since 2018 and prohibiting deforestation of high conservation value areas (Upphandlingsmyndigheten). These rules reflect growing awareness that “vegan” does not automatically mean “planet-friendly.”

And starting December 2024, the stakes rise further. EU Regulation 2023/1115, fully applicable in Sweden, requires palm oil supply chains to be deforestation-free, with mandatory due diligence to prevent ecosystem conversion. For eco-activists, this is progress — but it doesn’t magically make shopping easier today.

The Solution: Food Scan Genius — A Sustainable Food App Built for Conscious Swedes

This is where Food Scan Genius becomes more than just another food scanner. For eco-activists like you, it’s a sustainable food app that bridges the gap between good intentions and real-world shopping at Coop or ICA.

Instead of squinting at tiny ingredient lists or trying to remember which brands quietly switched suppliers, Food Scan Genius lets you add palm oil as a personal “enemy ingredient” in your dietary profile — not because it’s non-vegan, but because of sustainability and environmental risk.

Why Swedish eco-activists are switching to Food Scan Genius:

• You can flag palm oil for sustainability concerns, not just allergies.
• The app aligns with EU and Swedish regulatory realities, including deforestation-free expectations.
• It supports fast, values-based decisions in everyday stores like Coop and ICA.

Scan a product, and instead of generic “vegan-friendly” reassurance, you get clarity: does this product contain palm oil? Is it avoidable? Are there better alternatives on the same shelf?

Manual Label Reading vs. Food Scan Genius

“I Finally Feel Consistent With My Values” — A Swedish Eco-Activist Speaks

“I’m vegan for environmental reasons, not trends. Shopping at ICA used to feel like a constant compromise — especially with palm oil hiding in everything. With Food Scan Genius, I just scan and know. It’s the first time my daily shopping actually matches my activism.”
— Lina, 34, environmental campaign volunteer, Stockholm

Lina’s experience isn’t unique. For eco-activists, burnout often comes from the small, repeated compromises. A sustainable food app that removes friction isn’t a luxury — it’s a survival tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Oil, Veganism, and Sustainability in Sweden

Being vegan in Sweden is already a powerful environmental statement. With the right tools, it can also be a precise one. Food Scan Genius turns everyday shopping into quiet, consistent activism — one scan at a time.