You’ve likely read the label and spotted palm oil in baby formula—but what does it actually mean for your baby’s health? As one of the most widely used fats in formula, palm oil is intended to mimic the fatty acids in breast milk. But its effects aren’t always ideal. Studies suggest it may interfere with calcium absorption and cause firmer stools in some babies, making many parents think twice.
All moms want to do their best for their babies, and feeding them is no exception. While South Africa is a pro-breastfeeding country, some moms struggle to produce enough breast milk, or struggle to get their babies to latch. A safe alternative for these moms is to use a good quality infant formula. Part of the process of choosing the right formula to feed your baby involves knowing exactly what’s in the infant formula you choose. Here, we delve deeper into why one ingredient (palm olein) is included in – or purposefully excluded from – infant formulas.
What is palm olein & what is it used for?
Palm olein is a vegetable oil derived from the fruits of oil palm trees. Palm oil, which is a semi-solid material, is processed to separate it into two components: palm stearin and palm olein. So essentially, palm olein is a liquid form of palm oil.
Palm olein is one of the most cost-effective vegetable oils available, which is why it has become one of the mostly widely-consumed oils in the world. It also remains liquid at room temperature, is heat resistant and increases the shelf life of many food items – it also makes fried foods like potato chips, roasted nuts or biscuits extra crisp or crumbly and gives foods like chocolates and ice cream a deliciously smooth, creamy texture. For these reasons, palm oil is found in many everyday food items like margarine, frozen meals, potato chips, baked goods, chocolate and even infant formula.
But palm oil isn’t added exclusively to food products – because it is both odourless and colourless, it is regularly used as a moisturiser and foaming or cleaning agent in products like body lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, lipstick, deodorant and household detergents.
Why does baby formula contain palm olein?
Because human breast milk remains the gold standard when it comes to feeding a baby, infant formula is created to best replicate the nutritional composition of human breast milk. Fat is one of the most important components of human breast milk – providing around 50% of the kilojoules a baby needs to grow and develop properly – so manufacturers add a blend of fats to infant formula to take the place of the natural fatty acids that are present in human breast milk.
Why do babies need fat?
Babies need fat primarily as a source of energy, and so that their bodies can absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals from the baby’s diet – in fact, fat is often considered the most important ingredient in infant formula, which is why the fat composition in different infant formulas is such a hot talking point.
Many manufacturers use palm olein in their infant formula because it’s a nutritional source of palmitic acid, a saturated fat which is naturally found in breast milk that’s used to fuel cells in the body, and contributes towards brain development and healthy lungs.
However, the palmitic acid in palm olein isn’t an exact replica for the palmitic acid in breast milk – the fats are configured differently – so it isn’t broken down in the same way by an infant’s digestive system, the end result being that babies don’t absorb as much palmitic acid from palm olein-based formulas as they would from human breast milk.
As previously mentioned, palm oil is also one of the most cost-effective vegetable oils available, which decreases the cost of manufacture, and thus, the cost of the formula for the consumer.
Why does it matter?
The use of palm olein in infant formula has recently become a controversial topic. While it’s not dangerous for a baby to ingest palm olein, some recent reports claim it can have a negative impact on a baby’s diet and wellbeing. But what’s the alternative? There are alternate fat blends that can be used if you want to avoid palm olein, but not many infant formula manufacturers have made the shift. Alternatives include other vegetable oils like coconut, sunflower, rapeseed or soy oils.
Some people try to avoid products containing palm oil for moral reasons, as harvesting it can have a negative impact on the environment – it’s a major contributor to deforestation. It’s important to note here that palm oil can be produced sustainably, and some companies are committed to sourcing it responsibly to lessen the negative impact growing and harvesting the product has on the environment.
The benefits of a palm olein-free formula on a baby’s diet
Some studies have shown that infant formula that does not contain palm olein can have three positive effects on a baby’s health; there’s more efficient absorption of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid – an essential omega-3 fatty acid), softer stools and increased calcium absorption and bone mineralisation.
Improved absorption of DHA
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that’s essential for brain development in infants and the fat blend in an infant formula can make a considerable difference to how much DHA is absorbed by the child. Why do human babies even need DHA? Our bodies can only produce a small amount of DHA so the bulk of what we need must be ingested through our diet.
The way this is tested is by establishing how much DHA is excreted in the infant’s stool, relative to how much DHA was ingested. Some clinical studies have shown that infants who are fed formulas containing palm olein as a major fat source absorbed significantly less DHA – around 6.5 times less – than infants being fed a palm olein-free formula.
Softer stools
Stool consistency can be a good indication of how well a baby is tolerating an infant formula and clinical studies have shown that babies who are on a palm olein-free formula tend to experience softer – and more frequent – stools than those on formulas that do contain palm olein. Their stools also tend to closely resemble those of breastfed infants. Because their little digestive systems are still developing, some infants may experience negative reactions to formula that contains palm oil, leading to an upset tummy, difficulty passing (usually hard) stool and the risk of constipation. And every parent knows that a baby with regular, non-painful bowel movements is a happier baby!
Increased calcium absorption
The presence of palm olein in infant formula has been shown to lower both calcium and fat absorption in infants, which may impact skeletal development, causing reduced bone mineralisation (bone density). Studies have shown that infants who regularly drink formula that doesn’t contain palm olein have notable increases in calcium absorption – up to 40% more absorption when compared to babies on palm olein-containing formulas – resulting in higher bone mineral content and density. It is important to note, though, that most infant formula manufacturers do compensate for this decrease in calcium absorption by adding more calcium to the formula.
So, while palm olein remains a common – although controversial – ingredient in infant formula, some studies show that switching to a palm olein-free formula might have both immediate, and lasting, health benefits for babies.
ALSO READ: Should You Worry About Palm Oil in Formula?
FAQ’s: Palm Oil in Baby Formula
What is palm oil and why is it used in baby formula?
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palm trees. It’s often used in baby formula to help mimic the fat profile of breast milk, especially for its palmitic acid content, which supports infant growth.
Is palm oil safe for babies?
Yes, palm oil used in infant formula is refined and considered safe. However, there is debate about how well babies digest it, as it can sometimes bind with calcium in the gut and reduce calcium absorption.
Does palm oil affect digestion in babies?
Some studies suggest that palm oil in formula may lead to harder stools or mild constipation in some infants. Not all babies are affected, but parents should observe their baby’s digestion and discuss concerns with their healthcare provider.
Are there alternatives to palm oil in baby formula?
Yes. Some formula brands use blends of other vegetable oils like coconut, soy, and sunflower oils, or use beta-palmitate (a structured fat) which may be more easily absorbed and gentler on digestion.
Why are some parents concerned about palm oil?
Concerns include its environmental impact (due to deforestation) and the potential for reduced fat and mineral absorption in babies. However, regulated formula brands in South Africa and globally use palm oil that meets health and safety standards.
Is palm oil in formula harmful to bone development?
There is limited evidence suggesting reduced calcium absorption due to palm oil may impact bone mineral density. However, most formulas balance their nutrient content to meet recommended guidelines for healthy development.
How do I know if a formula contains palm oil?
Check the ingredient label for terms like “palm oil,” “palmolein,” or “palmitic acid.” If in doubt, contact the formula manufacturer or consult your healthcare provider.
Should I avoid formula with palm oil?
Not necessarily. Palm oil-based formulas are widely used and meet safety standards. If your baby is thriving and has no digestive issues, there may be no need to switch. If you’re concerned, speak to your paediatrician about alternatives.
Are there palm-oil-free baby formula options in South Africa?
Yes, some local and international brands offer palm-oil-free formulas. These are usually marketed as using alternative fat blends and may be available in pharmacies or online.
Can I switch formulas if I’m concerned about palm oil?
Yes, but always consult your doctor or paediatrician before switching formulas, especially if your baby has specific dietary needs or is under six months old.
Disclaimer: Always seek advice from your paediatrician before making changes to your baby’s feeding routine. Breastfeeding is best for babies. If formula is used, it should be prepared and stored safely according to package instructions.
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