Should You Avoid Palm Oil in Baby Formula?

When you’re choosing organic baby formula, your baby’s nutrition obviously comes first. But there are so many other factors that parents take into consideration sourcing and sustainability to how everything affects your baby and the planet. One ingredient that’s been coming up more often in parent conversations is palm oil.

So what is palm oil doing in baby formula? And why do some families prefer to avoid it? Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know, and which palm oil-free baby formulas we recommend.

What Is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It’s used in a wide variety of products, from food to cosmetics to cleaning supplies. In fact, according to WWF, palm oil can be found in almost 50% of the packaged products you can find in supermarkets.

In baby formula, it’s most often used as a fat source. Since breast milk contains palmitic acid (a type of saturated fat), manufacturers sometimes use palm oil to try to mimic that fat profile.

Why Is Palm Oil Used in Baby Formula?

In most conventional baby formulas—especially U.S.-based ones—palm oil is added to help match the fatty acid composition of breast milk. It’s stable, inexpensive, and has a long shelf life, which makes it appealing from a production standpoint.

However, the way the body absorbs palm oil is not exactly the same as how it absorbs natural fats from breast milk.

Why Some Parents Are Concerned About Palm Oil

So, if palm oil is everywhere, why do some families steer clear? There are two main reasons why some families look for formulas without palm oil: health and environmental impact.

1. Digestive Concerns

Palm oil isn’t harmful by itself, but studies have shown that when combined with calcium in a baby’s gut, it can form “soaps” that may be harder to digest. This can sometimes lead to:

Firmer stools or constipation
Less efficient fat and calcium absorption
General tummy discomfort in some babies

This doesn’t happen to all babies—but if your little one seems to struggle with formula digestion, avoiding palm oil can be one of several helpful tweaks.

2. Environmental Sustainability

Palm oil production has been linked to large-scale deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and carbon emissions—especially in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, where most palm oil is harvested.

For eco-conscious parents choosing organic baby formula to support healthier, more sustainable food systems, palm oil can feel at odds with those values.

Why We Don’t Use Palm Oil at Zen Organic Formula

At Zen Organic Formula, we believe that feeding your baby should feel reassuring, not complicated. Every product on our shelves reflects a simple commitment: clean, gentle nutrition you can feel confident about—backed by science, shaped by care, and aligned with the values that brought you here in the first place.

That’s why you won’t find palm oil in any of the formulas we offer.

While palm oil is legally allowed and commonly used in many baby formulas, we’ve chosen to work only with brands that take a different approach—one that aligns better with what matters to us, and to many of the parents we serve.

Instead of palm oil, the formulas we carry use alternative fat sources that are:

Easier for tiny tummies to digest
Closer to the natural fats found in whole milk
Sourced with sustainability and animal welfare in mind

This isn’t just about what’s in the tin—it’s about trust.

We know feeding choices aren’t always straightforward. Whether you’re supplementing, switching, or using formula from day one, you deserve options that feel safe, simple, and aligned with the way you want to raise your baby.

And if you’re choosing organic because you care about what goes into your baby’s body—and what kind of world they’ll grow up in—we’re with you on that too.

Our commitment to being palm-oil-free is one of many small but meaningful ways we stay true to our bigger promise: to offer formulas we’d give to our own children, from brands we’d recommend to our closest friends.

Because feeding your baby should never come with compromise.

Our Top Palm Oil-Free Picks

Looking for the best palm-oil-free baby formula? Here are a few favorites we proudly carry—all trusted by parents around the world:

Kendamil Classic Cow Milk Formula

Made with whole milk fats instead of palm oil or vegetable blends, Kendamil offers a creamy, natural fat profile that’s gentle on digestion and rich in nutrients. Kendamil has been out loud and proud about being free from palm oil since its conception over 60 years ago. It’s also a standout for being vegetarian-friendly and made entirely in the UK.

Kabrita Goat Milk Formula

Kabrita skips palm oil and uses a blend of lactose and milk fats to provide easy-to-digest energy. It’s a great option for babies with sensitive tummies who may benefit from goat milk’s natural composition. Rich in that all-important palmitic acid!

Nannycare Goat Milk Formula

Made with whole goat milk, Nannycare keeps ingredients simple and leaves out palm oil, soy oil, and maltodextrin. Sourced from pasture-raised goats in New Zealand, it’s a strong choice for parents seeking both quality and sustainability.

HiPP German Bio Combiotik

HiPP’s German formulas use a carefully selected blend of organic oils (without palm oil) and include prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health. It’s a go-to for many parents looking for a palm-oil-free formula with digestive support.

What's Best For You?

Palm oil isn’t something every baby reacts to—but for many families, choosing a formula without it offers both digestive benefits and peace of mind. Whether your concern is about absorption, gentler stools, or your environmental footprint, skipping palm oil is a small choice that can feel like a big win.

At Zen Organic Formula, every formula we stock is palm-oil-free—because we believe in giving you clear, responsible options that you can feel good about.

Not sure which formula is best for you? Why not take our 60 second Formula Finder Quiz? We’ll ask you a few questions about your baby and your preferences, and we’ll recommend 3 formulas especially for you (and definitely no palm oil)!