Say the words “palm tree” and the mind will most likely conjure up an image of gently swaying leaves reaching out over a white sandy beach and crystal-clear blue water. Add a hammock and cocktail, and it’s most parents’ idea of heaven, right? However, when we set the pina colada aside and look a little closer, we become aware of a much more serious global conversation that is taking place around the negative impacts of Palm Oil. So what exactly is the problem with Palm Oil and why are Palm Oil-free products so important?

What exactly is Palm Oil?

Let’s start with the basics. Palm Oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees and is found in many of the products on our supermarket shelves. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Palm Oil production has and continues to be a major driver of deforestation, destroying the habitats of endangered species like the orangutan and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

But what does Palm Oil have to do with formulas?

You might be surprised to learn that formulas need to contain a range of vegetable oils to mimic the fatty acid profile in breast milk, and manufacturers can choose high-quality oils such as coconut and flaxseed oil or more mass-produced and cheaper oils such as canola and Palm Oil. You see Palm Oil inhibits the absorption of calcium, fats and the omega-3 DHA in babies so for us there was no question that we needed to find and use both alternative and better-quality oils. So instead of Palm Oil, we use cold-pressed coconut oil and blended this with cold-pressed flaxseed oil and sunflower. We are the first formula in the world to be certified 100% Palm Oil free. Now who do I see about getting a pina colada around here?

With love from one mother to another,

Elke