Palm oil in formula

Updated 3 months ago

Why is palm oil in baby formula?

Palm oil is one of the most common vegetable oils used in infant formula worldwide — and one of the most questioned by parents. To understand why it is used, it helps to understand what it is trying to replicate.

Breast milk contains palmitic acid as its primary saturated fat — accounting for roughly one third of all fats in breast milk. Palm oil is a rich natural source of palmitic acid, which is why formula manufacturers use it to help match the fat profile of breast milk. It is also stable, widely available and cost-effective to produce.

What are the concerns?

Fat and calcium absorption

Although palm oil contains palmitic acid, the way it is structured differs from the palmitic acid in breast milk. When palm oil combines with calcium in a baby’s gut, it can form insoluble compounds — sometimes referred to as “soaps” — that are harder to absorb. This may reduce both fat and calcium absorption, and in some babies can contribute to firmer stools or constipation.

To compensate, most formula manufacturers add extra calcium to their formula. For most babies this is sufficient, but some parents prefer to choose a palm oil-free formula to avoid the issue entirely.

Environmental concerns

Palm oil production has been linked to deforestation, habitat loss and carbon emissions — particularly in Southeast Asia. For parents who choose organic formula partly for environmental reasons, palm oil can feel at odds with those values. Some brands address this by sourcing certified sustainable palm oil; others have removed it from their formulas entirely.

Which formulas at My Organic Formula contain palm oil?

Palm oil use varies by brand and is often linked to whether the formula uses skimmed milk or whole milk as its base:

• HiPP — uses organic, sustainable palm oil across its range. HiPP uses skimmed milk as its base and re-adds vegetable oils including palm oil to match the fat profile of breast milk.
• Holle cow milk — contains palm oil. Like HiPP, Holle cow milk formulas use skimmed milk and add vegetable oils including palm oil.
• Holle goat milk — palm oil-free. Holle goat formulas use whole goat milk, which retains its natural fat content and reduces the need for added vegetable oils.
• Kendamil — palm oil-free. Kendamil uses whole milk as its base, which provides a natural fat profile without the need for added palm oil.
• Nannycare — palm oil-free. Nannycare uses whole goat milk and is free from palm oil.

Is palm oil safe for my baby?

For most babies, yes — palm oil in formula is considered safe and has been used in infant formula for decades. The concerns around calcium absorption are real but manageable, and formula manufacturers compensate by adding extra calcium. If your baby does not show signs of constipation or digestive discomfort, there is no urgent reason to switch.

If your baby is constipated or has consistently firm stools, trying a palm oil-free formula such as Kendamil or Nannycare may be worth considering — always in consultation with your paediatrician.