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Palm Oil in Baby Food – Effects and Recommendations

Palm oil is used in many infant formulas as a fat source to mimic the fatty acid composition of breast milk. Its use is scientifically debated.

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Things worth knowing about "Palm oil in baby food"

Palm oil is used in many infant formulas as a fat source to mimic the fatty acid composition of breast milk. Its use is scientifically debated.

What is palm oil in baby food?

Palm oil is commonly used in commercially produced infant formulas and follow-on formulas as a fat source. The aim is to replicate the fatty acid profile of breast milk as closely as possible, since breast milk contains a high proportion of palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid). Because palm oil is naturally rich in palmitic acid, it appears to be a suitable ingredient for infant nutrition at first glance.

Why is palm oil used in baby food?

The main reasons for using palm oil in infant formula include:

High palmitic acid content: Breast milk contains approximately 20–25% palmitic acid of total fat content. Palm oil provides comparable amounts of this fatty acid.
Neutral flavor: Palm oil has a mild taste that does not significantly alter the flavor of infant formula.
Technological properties: Palm oil is heat-stable and easy to process, making it attractive for industrial production.
Cost efficiency: Palm oil is one of the least expensive vegetable oils available globally.

Scientific debate and concerns

Despite the similar fatty acid composition, there are important differences between the palmitic acid in palm oil and that found in breast milk. The key factor is the so-called sn-2 position of palmitic acid within the fat molecule (triglyceride):

In breast milk, palmitic acid is predominantly located at the sn-2 position of the triglyceride. This arrangement enables optimal absorption in the infant gut.
In palm oil, palmitic acid is mainly bound at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions. During digestion, free palmitic acids are released, which can form poorly soluble calcium soaps in the gut.

These calcium soaps can have the following effects:

Reduced calcium absorption: The formation of calcium soaps decreases the bioavailability of calcium, which is important for bone mineralization in infants.
Harder stools: Studies show that infants fed formula containing conventional palm oil are more likely to experience hard stools and constipation.
Altered gut microbiome: The changed fat digestion can influence the development of the infant gut microbiota.

Palm oil with sn-2 palmitate: A solution?

In response to these concerns, some manufacturers have begun using specially processed palm oil in which palmitic acid has been enzymatically repositioned to the sn-2 position. This product is known as sn-2 palmitate or OPO fat (olein-palmitate-olein). Studies indicate that sn-2 palmitate:

improves calcium absorption,
results in softer stools for the infant,
and optimizes overall fat absorption.

However, sn-2 palmitate is significantly more expensive to produce than conventional palm oil, which is why it is not found in all products.

Recommendations for parents

Nutrition experts and pediatricians emphasize that breast milk is the best nutrition for infants and should be preferred whenever possible. If breast milk is not available or breastfeeding is not possible, experts recommend:

Choosing infant formulas that contain sn-2 palmitate, if the budget allows.
Carefully reading the ingredient list of any baby food product.
Consulting a pediatrician or lactation consultant for questions about infant nutrition.

Regulatory framework

The use of palm oil in infant formula within the European Union is governed by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. This regulation specifies which fats and oils may be used in infant and follow-on formulas and defines minimum requirements for palmitic acid content and its position within the triglyceride molecule.

References

European Commission - Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 of 25 September 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the specific compositional and information requirements for infant formula and follow-on formula. Official Journal of the EU, 2016.
Havlicekova Z, Jesenak M, Banovcin P, Kuchta M - Beta-palmitate - a natural component of human milk in supplemental milk formulas. Nutrition Journal, 2016;15:1.
Koletzko B et al. - Global Standard for the Composition of Infant Formula: Recommendations of an ESPGHAN Coordinated International Expert Group. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2005;41(5):584–599.

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