You may have noticed that palm oil, also known as "vegetable fat," is sometimes hidden in the ingredients of infant formula. What is it? Is it harmful to babies? Should we choose formulas without palm oil, and why?
Is palm oil an ingredient to ban from our plates?
You've probably already heard of palm oil! And also… its harmful environmental impact. Its production causes several problems[1]:
- Most of the areas where oil palm is grown, from which the oil is extracted, are located on land where trees have been previously cut down.
- This intensive deforestation, mostly located in the Amazon rainforest, is harmful to the fauna and flora.
- In addition to deforestation, large-scale overproduction of palm oil is also responsible for the destruction of certain species and the increase in greenhouse gas production.
Why is palm oil said to be bad for your health?
We'll explain everything! Get ready! Palm oil contains palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid[2]. To begin, there are two types of fatty acids (also called lipids): saturated and unsaturated. Want to learn more?
- Unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3s, are found in flax seeds, oily fish, avocados, and olives. These are essential fatty acids that help prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Conversely, saturated fatty acids should be limited in our consumption[3]. They tend to be stored in the body's fat cells and can lead to inflammation, weight gain, and high cholesterol. Therefore, like other saturated fats such as butter or cheese, palm oil should be consumed in moderation. Good to know for the rest of your baby's diet! Saturated fatty acids should represent a maximum of 15% of the lipids we consume daily.[4]
At Biostime, we have chosen to develop our organic infant milks without palm oil! We have decided to enrich our formula with good organic milk cream from Isigny-Sainte-Mère, naturally rich in palmitic acid, with a structure close to that of breast milk.
Why is palm oil found in infant formula?
After reading this, you are probably wondering: why use palm oil in baby milk [5]?
- There is, of course, the argument of cost for manufacturers.
- But it is also an easy product to work with, because its composition is stable.
- And most importantly, palmitic acid, a major component of the oil, makes up 23% of breast milk. This fatty acid belongs to the large family of lipids. These nutrients are essential for a baby's growth and constitute a major part of their diet. Tempting, you might say, right?
Should we switch to milk without palm oil?
As we have clearly understood… Palm oil is not in itself necessary for the composition of infant milk, but fatty acids are!
There also needs to be a good balance between saturated and unsaturated fats.
The problem here isn't the presence of fatty acids in infant formula, but rather their type. Palm oil, in fact, poses no nutritional risk to a baby's health. Don't feel guilty if your baby has already consumed it! The real issue is environmental responsibility. Indeed, there are now infant formulas made with other vegetable oils, such as copra or coconut oil. These allow us to avoid using palm oil. These alternative vegetable oils provide the same essential fatty acids while limiting the product's environmental impact.
Which baby bottle should I choose? For Biostime infant formula ?
At Dodie , we are committed to offering practical and innovative products . To make your daily life as parents easier. Discover our range of Dodie EXTRA anti-colic bottles , recommended by midwives[6] and designed for babies and parents. Extra-practical , EXTRA anti-colic bottles are ready in one easy step , thanks to a unique , one-piece teat. Equipped with a patented double anti-colic valve . Inspired by the mother's breast , the EXTRA teat allows for an extra-natural feeding experience .
Share your stories!
The best advice still comes from our own experience. Have you also switched to palm oil-free infant formula? Have you re-evaluated your baby's diet by paying closer attention to the composition of their food? Tell us more!
Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for infants.
- https://www.geo.fr/environnement/huile-de-palme-ses-veritables-consequences-sur-lenvironnement-193387
- https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/2018/10/20/l-huile-de-palme-est-elle-vraiment-un-produit-essentiel-pour-le-lait-infantile_1686542/
- https://alimentation.ooreka.fr/astuce/voir/564981/acides-gras-satures
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Actualites/Dossiers/DossierComplexe.aspx?doc=mythe-graisses-saturees
- https://www.clcv.org/non-categorise/huile-de-palme-dans-le-lait-infantile
- IDM Families study conducted in 2022 with 60 midwives .
