US blocks palm oil imports from Sime Darby over forced labour allegations

Sime Darby says its annual exports to the United States total about $5 million. The biggest importers of Malaysian palm oil are India and China

KUALA LUMPUR: The United States banned imports of palm oil from Sime Darby Plantation from Wednesday over allegations of forced labour in the production process, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.

The ban on Sime Darby, the world's largest palm oil company by landsize and seen as a leader in sustainably produced palm oil, is another blow to an industry that has faced mounting allegations of labour and human rights abuses.