  The global production and consumption of vegetable oils have sparked several
discussions on sustainable development. This study analyzes over 20 million
tweets related to vegetable oils to explore the key factors shaping public
opinion. We found that coconut, olive, and palm oils dominate social media
discourse despite their lower contribution to overall global vegetable
production. The discussion about olive and palm oils remarkably correlates with
Twitter's growth, while coconut increases more significantly with bursts of
activity. Discussions around coconut and olive oils primarily focus on health,
beauty, and food, while palm draws attention to pressing environmental
concerns. Overall, virality is related to environmental issues and negative
connotations. In the context of Sustainable Development Goals, this study
highlights the multifaceted nature of the vegetable oil debate and its
disconnection from scientific discussions. Our research sheds light on the
power of social media in shaping public perception, providing insights into
sustainable development strategies.
