There's been a lot of talk about whether the oils in infant formula are healthy and safe. Let's talk about the fat composition of Nara Organics Infant Formula, including our use of organic milk fat and organic oils.
At Nara, we start with milk fat
Our formula is built on organic whole milk because milk fat has its own incredible benefits. One of the reasons Nara is so unique is that we have the most organic whole milk of any U.S. formula. And because we use so much milk fat, we're able to use less seed oils.
However, every infant formula in the U.S. and the EU (including Nara Organcis) contains seed oils; these oils are necessary to create the right balance of fatty acids babies need for growth and development. Learn more about why seed oils are necessary.
Our organic oil blend at Nara Organics
In order to provide babies with all of the fatty acids they need, we add a carefully sourced, organic oil blend to our formula, which provides the required amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. We also add DHA and ARA oils to support brain and eye development.
Here are the oils in our whole milk infant formula:
1. Organic Oleic Sunflower Oil
We've selected high oleic sunflower oil as a primary component in our oil blend because it provides:
- Higher levels of oleic acid than regular sunflower oil
- Oleic acid — a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also found in breastmilk (also in avocado and olive oil!)
- A gentle, neutral taste that makes our formula palatable for babies
2. Organic Coconut Oil
We include organic coconut oil in our formula because it provides:
- Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are easy to absorb9
- A fat structure that helps our formula remain stable and helps provide a creamy texture similar to milk
3.Organic Low Erucic Rapeseed Oil (Canola)
This oil is an important component of our blend because it:
- Provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid that helps support brain and eye development
4. Organic Linoleic Sunflower Oil
We include this variety of sunflower oil specifically because it:
- Is rich in linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid that babies cannot produce on their own and which contributes to the development of cell membranes
- Complements our oleic sunflower oil to balance the fatty acid profile
Additionally, our formula includes two specialized oils in smaller amounts:
- Mortierella alpina oil: A natural source of arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid and an important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid found in breastmilk that supports brain and eye development.
- Schizochytrium sp. oil: Provides docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid and an important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid found in breastmilk that is critical for brain, nervous system, and eye development.10
We add ARA and DHA at the average levels found in worldwide breastmilk. These specialized oils help ensure your baby receives the same long-chain fatty acids found in breastmilk to support eye and brain development.
Seed Oil FAQ
Your most asked questions about the oils in our formula, answered.
How are your oils extracted?
We're proud that our organic oils are extracted without the use of hexane or other chemical solvents. Hexane extraction is a common industrial method used to extract oils from seeds and beans, but it's not permitted in organic production. This ensures the oils remain pure and free from chemical residues that might be present in conventionally processed oils. Our commitment to non-GMO, organic ingredients means we follow strict standards for how our oils are processed.
Why do you use organic oils in your formula?
We choose organic oils because the plants they come from are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This means fewer potentially harmful chemicals in your baby's diet. It also means that they’re never extracted with harsh solvents like hexane.
Why don't you use palm oil like many other formulas?
Palm oil is often used in other formulas due to its palmitic C-16 fatty acid, but Nara obtains this required fatty acid from our oil blend and from milk fat, which is a more optimal source. The C-16 fatty acid in milk fat is in the ideal position within the arrangement of molecules to help with absorption (the middle position — which is the same as in breastmilk but not in palm oil). Additionally, there are various environmental concerns with the use of palm oil, which is another reason Nara chooses not to use it.
How do you ensure the quality of your organic oils?
Our organic oils undergo rigorous testing at multiple stages of production. We start with certified organic sources and test for purity, fatty acid content and various contaminants, ensuring they meet the strictest quality standards. The organic oils are processed using gentle methods that avoid the use of harsh solvents like hexane.
Why do you have both milk fat and oils in your formula?
When creating our organic infant formula, we wanted to mimic the fatty acids in breastmilk as closely as possible. At Nara Organics, this means starting with the highest amount of organic milk fat of any U.S. formula, then balancing the fatty acid profile through carefully selected oils.
