The white blobs, which look like lard and are known as fatbergs, have washed up with increasing frequency on beaches in Ireland, the Isle of Man, Wales, the north-west of England and along the south coast from Cornwall to Kent since February.
They can range in size from pebbles to small boulders and have killed a number of dogs in the UK since 2013.
Palm oil blobs are also known as ‘death from paradise’ as they are believed to originate in the Caribbean, having been discharged into the Atlantic from ships.
Francis Binney, marine scientist for the Environment Department’s marine resources section, said: ‘If a dog does eat palm oil then the owner should get it to their vet immediately.’
