Yum! Brands, the company that owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, on Thursday announced a zero deforestation policy for its palm oil sourcing. The move came after aggressive campaigns by environmental groups that argued the chains weren’t doing enough to ensure the palm oil they used to fry foods wasn’t linked to human rights abuses, destruction of peat lands, and logging of rainforests. The policy sets a December 2017 target for establishing safeguards for palm oil sourcing. Yum! Says it will only source from suppliers who bar plantation development in high carbon stock and high conservation value areas, like rainforests and peat lands; have disputes resolution processes in place; offer traceability to the mill level; and avoid underage workers and forced labor. The standards apply Yum!’s global fast food business, meaning it applies to all of its restaurants. 

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