You may have noticed that palm oil, also known as "vegetable fat," is sometimes hidden in the composition of infant formulas. What is it? Is it harmful to babies? Should we choose formulas without palm oil, and why?
Palm oil, an ingredient to ban from our plates?
You've probably already heard about palm oil! And also... its harmful ecological impact. Its production causes several problems[1]:
- Most of the areas where oil palm is grown, from which the oil is extracted, are planted on land where trees have previously been cut down.
- This intensive deforestation, mostly located in the Amazon rainforest, is harmful to flora and fauna.
- In addition to deforestation, large-scale overproduction of palm oil is also responsible for the destruction of certain species and increased greenhouse gas production.
Why is palm oil said to be bad for your health?
We'll explain everything! Hold on tight! Palm oil contains palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid[2]. To begin with, there are two types of fatty acids (also called lipids): saturated and unsaturated. Want to know more?
- Unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3, are found in flax seeds, oily fish, avocados, and olives. These are essential fatty acids that 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 also cholesterol. Thus, just 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've decided to develop our organic infant formulas without palm oil! We've decided to enrich our formula with high-quality organic milk cream from Isigny-Sainte-Mère, naturally rich in palmitic acid and with a structure similar to that of breast milk.
Why is palm oil found in infant milk?
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, is present at 23% in breast milk. This fatty acid is part of the large family of lipids. These nutrients are essential for baby's growth and make up a large part of their diet. Tempting to give in, you might say, eh?
Should we switch to palm oil-free milk?
As you can see... Palm oil is not in itself necessary for the composition of infant milk, but fatty acids are!
There should also 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 nature. Indeed, palm oil doesn't pose a nutritional risk to your baby's health. Don't feel guilty if your baby has already consumed it! The real issue is eco-responsibility. Indeed, there are now infant formulas made from other vegetable oils, such as copra or coconut oil. These allow you to avoid using palm oil. Alternative vegetable oils provide the same essential fatty acids while limiting the product's environmental impact.
Which bottle to choose? for Biostime infant milk ?
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 a single step , thanks to a unique teat , in just one piece, Equipped with a patented double anti-colic valve . Inspired by the mother's breast , the EXTRA teat allows for extra-natural breastfeeding .
To your testimonies!
The best advice still comes from our own experience. Have you also switched to palm oil-free infant formula? Have you revised your baby's diet by paying more 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://aliment.ooreka.fr/conseil/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 carried out in 2022 with 60 midwives .
