Seed oils have been in the news lately and all over social media. Parents want to know: Why are certain oils, including seed oils, being used in baby formula?
Let’s talk about seed oils in general and then how they’re used in baby formula.
Here’s the (very) short story.
✅ Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids = Essential for our health in the right amount
✅ Seed oils = Excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
❌ Too much omega-6 fatty acids (and not enough omega-3) = Unbalanced
Ok, time to get science-y.
If you want to really understand seed oils, you have to dive deep into the science behind polyunsaturated fatty acids, like omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are very important for humans and are also found in breastmilk.1 In growing babies, omega-6s are crucial for brain development,2 while omega-3s support the brain, immune and cardiovascular systems.3
So why are people anti-seed oil? In some countries (including the U.S), the diets of most adults have shown an increase in omega-6s in comparison to omega-3s. The balance is off. Rather than eating the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 4:1 or lower, the typical Western diet has moved toward a ratio of 20:1.4 That’s not good!
Eating a lot of omega-6 fatty acids (and not enough omega-3s) can cause inflammation or other health issues.5 Eating highly processed foods made with seed oils may contribute to this. Since many ultra processed foods contain high levels of omega-6, limiting these can lead to a healthier diet. It’s a great idea to focus on eating foods rich in omega-3s, like fatty fish and flaxseeds, to maintain a better balance between these essential fats.
In addition, there may be general concern that industrial seed oils are extracted with hexane, a chemical solvent. Although hexane is broadly removed as part of oil refining such that only trace levels remain6, you can switch to the use of organic oils that are not hexane extracted.7
2 Reasons seed oils are in every U.S. and EU baby formula
Infant formulas from every country, both U.S. and European, contain seed oils. Here’s why:
1. To create the right fatty acid profile
Formula is always trying to get as close to breastmilk as possible, and omega-6 fatty acids are part of that. In formula, these fatty acids usually come from a blend of oils. The oils are added to create a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that mimics the composition of breastmilk and helps support babies’ growing bodies. It’s not possible to create the fatty acid mix babies need by using single oil sources, like avocado or olive oil (even though we love those oils!).
2. To provide essential fatty acids
Unlike some nutrients that our bodies can produce, certain fatty acids must come from our diet — these are called "essential fatty acids." Babies also need two key essential fatty acids:
- Linoleic acid (LA): An omega-6 fatty acid that's abundant in most seed oils.
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): An omega-3 fatty acid found in some seed oils like soybean and canola.
These essential fatty acids are building blocks for longer-chain fatty acids like arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are critical for brain and eye development.8
Our oil blend at Nara Organics
At Nara Organics, we start with organic whole milk because milk fat has its own incredible benefits. We have the most whole milk fat of any U.S. formula, which means we’re able to use less vegetable oils.
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 the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. We also add DHA and ARA oils to support brain and eye development.
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 milkfat, which is a more optimal source. The C-16 fatty acid in milkfat 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 milk fat of any U.S. formula, then balancing the fatty acid profile through carefully selected oils.
Key Takeaways
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It’s the balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids that counts. Too many omega-6 fatty acids can cause health issues, but every human needs these fatty acids in the right amounts.
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Seed oils (and other vegetable oils) are excellent sources of healthy omega-6 fatty acids.
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A blend of oils are used in infant formula in order to provide an omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid profile similar to breastmilk.
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These are essential fatty acids that babies cannot make on their own!
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Read this great article on seed oils for even more info
Talk to your pediatrician
The information on our website and in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice or to substitute for the advice of your healthcare professionals. If you have questions about feeding your baby, your pediatrician is your best resource. They can help you understand the nutritional needs of your growing baby and guide you toward the best feeding choices for your family
