The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency has issued another withhold release order relative to imports of Malaysian palm oil. The Dec. 28 order covers palm oil and palm oil products produced by the Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, due to findings of forced labor abuses.
Sime Darby claims to produce 15% of Malaysia's palm oil, CBP said.
"Palm oil is an ingredient in a lot of products that American consumers buy and use. And I think it's important for manufacturers and importers to be aware of where they're at higher risk of forced labor, and to demand that their suppliers are adhering to protecting human rights of their workers," said Ana Hinojosa, executive director of CBP's Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Directorate.
CBP in September issued a withhold release order for imports of palm oil and palm oil products from FGV Holdings Berhad and its subsidiaries.