Palm Oil in Baby Formula: Concerns and Facts

As the most widely exported vegetable oil worldwide, you're certain to use, consume, or encounter palm oil on a regular basis. Its far-reaching prevalence in our world extends from lipstick, shampoo, and ramen to using palm oil in baby formula.

In recent years, it has become a hot topic surrounded by controversy regarding its sustainability and safety, leading parents to increasingly scrutinize the popularity of palm oil formula.

This begs the question: Is palm oil bad for babies? Or has it unjustly become public enemy number one? This article will provide evidence-backed insights into the pros and cons of this ingredient, helping parents make an informed and objective decision about whether or not to avoid palm oil in baby formula.

Keep reading to better understand its valuable nutritional elements, the potential drawbacks of its consumption, and alternative palm oil-free formulas to consider!

What is Palm Oil in Baby Formula & The Importance of Palmitic Acid 

If you're a parent who values not only reading but also understanding the purpose of the ingredients in your baby's formula, then you're probably wondering what is palm olein oil in baby formula and why this ingredient is so prolific in the formula industry.

Palm olein oil, or simply palm oil for short, is an edible vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of oil palm trees (for the science geeks out there, the species is Elaeis Guineesis). The ubiquity of this oil across various industries is intimately connected to its versatile nature, resulting in its appearance in food, personal care products, and even biofuel.

Why is Palm oil in Baby Formula?

The main reason infant formulas include palm oil is to mimic the fatty acids in breast milk. However, palm oil is more than just a source of natural fats for babies.

It's also rich in vitamins A and E, which support immune system function and vision. It's loaded with antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals and support overall wellness. Lastly, it aids in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, E, D, and K.

These health benefits, coupled with its cost-effectiveness and wide availability, make it a reliable and nutritious source of vegetable oil in baby formula.

Palmitic Acid in Palm Oil vs Palmitic Acid in Breast Milk

Diving deeper, nearly half of palm olein oil is comprised of saturated fats, with the predominant fat being palmitic acid. In fact, palm oil is the only vegetable oil that's naturally abundant in this fat. Palmitic acid is also a key component of breast milk, representing between 17 and 25% of human milk fatty acids.

In both instances, palmitic acid supplies energy and is one of the many fatty acids contributing to overall infant growth and development. However, the positioning of palmitic acid in breast milk differs from its position in palm oil, which recent research has revealed may have consequences for infant nutrition.

In breast milk, palmitic acid occupies what scientists consider the 'optimal' Sn-2 position, ensuring this nutrient is most efficiently absorbed. Sn-2 palmitic acid positively affects stool quality, bone strength, gut health, and crying.

However, in palm oil, palmitic acid mainly occupies the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions, which means it is absorbed less thoroughly. Unabsorbed palmitic acid can bind with calcium in the gut to form what's known as calcium soaps.

Although calcium soaps are not dangerous, some studies have linked them with reduced fat, DHA, palmitate, and calcium absorption, as well as temporary bone mineralization and firmer stools. We'll discuss these concerns more in the following sections.

However, in 2019, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) conducted a literature review to address the concerns about palm oil in formula. After assessing the results of 33 studies, experts concluded, "There is insufficient evidence to suggest that [palm oil] should be avoided as a source of fat in infant formulas for health reasons."

Is Palm Oil Bad for Babies or Safe?

Palm oil is considered safe for babies by both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When faced with the question, is palm oil safe for babies, researchers have stated that it is a fundamental component of infant nutrition and a valuable source of palmitic acid.

Despite its demonstrated safety, an unintended consequence of using palm oil is that it may reduce calcium absorption. One way parents can mitigate this effect of palm oil in infant formula is to choose a formulation enriched with prebiotics and probiotics, as the interaction between these ingredients may help boost calcium absorption.

A trusted choice for European infant formulas with these ingredients is HiPP. You may wonder, "does HiPP have palm oil?" and the answer is yes. However, the Dutch and German versions of their powdered formulas are enhanced with probiotic cultures originally extracted from human milk and prebiotics from lactose, ensuring optimal nutrition for your baby.

What About Premature Babies?

Preterm infants have higher mineral needs than full-term infants, and an insufficient intake of the necessary minerals puts these babies at risk of poor bone mineralization.

Although preterm infant formulas are specially crafted to support their unique dietary needs, you may wish to speak to your pediatrician about preterm infant formula without palm oil if you're concerned about your baby receiving enough calcium.

Common Concerns About Palm Oil in Formula

We've already touched on some key reasons parents may be concerned about palm olein in formula, but now we want to delve deeper into the science behind these worries.

We'll address what's wrong with palm oil in respect to it's effect on your baby's bowel movements and nutrient absorption and discuss the potential upsides of sustainable palm oil.

Does Palm Oil Cause Constipation?

As we mentioned earlier, baby formula with palm oil may lead to the formation of calcium soaps. These soaps are excreted in the stool and may contribute to firmer stool consistency. Harder stools may result in constipation or discomfort in some infants.

However, many little ones tolerate palm olein in baby formula without issue. So long as your baby is gaining weight well and seems comfortable after feedings, there's no need to worry.

However, if you find that your baby is frequently constipated and passing hard stools, you may wish to consider switching to a palm oil-free infant formula on the advice of your pediatrician.

Decreased Calcium & Fat Absorption

One of the more consistent findings from studies looking at palm oil in infant formula is that formulas with higher levels of this oil are associated with decreased calcium and fat absorption in some babies.

This is because if calcium soaps form, these bundles of palmitic acid and calcium are excreted through the stool rather than absorbed by the body.

However, aware of these potential risks, infant formula manufacturers adjust their recipes with higher amounts of calcium and additional fats to ensure your baby receives the necessary nutrients.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

One significant reason palm oil garners criticism is its environmental implications. Without sustainable sourcing, harvesting palm oil can have detrimental consequences for our Earth.

Palm oil plantations are a major contributor to deforestation, habitat destruction, and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the palm oil sector has been implicated in labour rights abuses.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed to set production standards for growing, producing, and sourcing palm oil, helping to alleviate these concerns. European brands committed to sustainability tend to opt for RSPO-certified and organic palm oil in baby formula.

For example, HiPP organic palm oil is 100% sustainably sourced. To avoid deforestation, HiPP cultivates palm oil on existing pastures and farmlands, mostly from local smallholders, without using monocultures.

On the other hand, Holle sources RSPO-segregated palm oil farmed without pesticides from Ecuador, West Africa, and Colombia, with production standards that uphold social and ecological respect.

Still Worried About Palm Olein Oil in Formula?

If you're still questioning whether palm oil is an optimal source of fats for babies or you have little ones with sensitive digestive systems that respond better to alternative vegetable oils, here are some alternative oil sources to look for when shopping for no-palm-oil baby formula.

Alternative Vegetable Oils in Baby Formula

Some infant formulas use coconut, sunflower, or rapeseed oil in place of palm oil. Moreover, opting for formulas with a base of whole milk rather than skim milk can be another strategy for avoiding palm oil. Here, we'll discuss the benefits of these alternative options!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is extracted from the fruit of coconut palms. It contains medium-chain fatty acids that are easily digestible and support babies' growth and development. Clinical studies have shown that baby formulas with coconut oil support healthy growth and are well tolerated by most infants.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is pressed from sunflower seeds. It's abundant in linoleic and oleic acids, which are essential fatty acids for the health, growth, and development of infants and are also present in human milk.

Rapeseed Oil

Rapeseed oil is sourced from the seeds of rapeseed flowers and is the world's third most consumed culinary oil. It's often used in infant nutrition as it's naturally rich in alpha-linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, which support the normal development of brain and nerve cells. Moreover, it contains oleic acid, which is the most abundant monounsaturated fat in breast milk!

Whole Milk

Europe offers a wider variety of baby formula based on whole milk from either cows or goats. Unlike skimmed milk, which has milk fats removed, whole milk retains its natural milk fats. Mammalian milk is naturally rich in palmitic acid, meaning using palm oil becomes an unnecessary additive.

This means that whole milk formulas use a combination of natural milk fats and non-palm vegetable oils to supply your baby with a healthy supply of fats. Keep reading for recommendations in our next section for parents seeking a whole milk organic formula without palm oil.

Formula Options Without Palm Oil

Our collection of baby formulas caters to diverse ingredient preferences and dietary needs. If you're in the market for a palm oil-free formula consider the following options:

HiPP Ready-to-Feed

For parents who appreciate the convenience of a formula that requires no preparation, HiPP ready-to-feed Stage PRE offers a palm oil-free version of its popular Bio Combiotik recipe, suitable from birth.

Holle Goat

Holle Goat uses European-certified organic whole goat's milk with sunflower and rapeseed oil for additional fats in both Dutch and German variations.

Kendamil

Kendamil provides organic and classic baby formula based on full-cream goat or cow milk. All Kendamil formulas are palm oil-free and feature a blend of sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oil.

Jovie

Jovie uses European-certified organic whole milk as a base for their formulas, ensuring that they are palm oil-free. They offer formulas with a whole goat's or cow's milk base further enriched with organic sunflower and rapeseed oil.

Nannycare

Nannycare formulas feature pasteurized whole goat milk as the first ingredient. The formula contains a mixture of high-oleic sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower for a complete fatty acid spectrum.

Final Thoughts: Is Palm Oil Safe for Babies?

Ultimately, health authorities worldwide recognize palm oil in baby formula as safe. It's well tolerated by most little ones and offers a valuable source of fats, serving as the building blocks of growth and development in infancy. Its wide availability and rich palmitic acid content make it a go-to choice for many infant formula manufacturers.

Although palm oil has many benefits, it may contribute to decreased calcium and fat absorption and constipation in some babies. For parents who prefer to avoid this ingredient, we provide several palm oil-free baby formula options that are extra gentle on tiny tummies.