What’s the Deal with Palm Oil in Kids’ Snacks? Is it safe? We share our view on the topic.

When it comes to feeding your child, every ingredient matters. As parents, you may not always realize the hidden ingredients in many kids' snacks—palm oil being one of the most common. But what’s the deal with palm oil, and why should you be concerned about its impact on your child’s health and the environment? At Bio Organics, we’ve made a conscious decision to avoid palm oil in favour of healthier, more sustainable alternatives like high-oleic sunflower oil. Here's why.

1. What is Palm Oil and Why Is It So Common in Kids’ Snacks?

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It’s inexpensive, shelf-stable, and widely used in processed foods, including many kids’ snacks. One of the reasons palm oil is favoured by producers is that it helps extend the shelf life of products, but this can come at the cost of our health. Palm oil is found in everything from cookies and snacks to crackers to snack bars. There are important health and environmental concerns that make parents wary of its presence in the foods their children consume.

2. The Health Risks of Palm Oil in Children’s Snacks

While palm oil provides fat, it’s predominantly composed of saturated fats, which, when consumed in excess, can have significant health implications for children. These include:

• Increased Cholesterol Levels: Saturated fats can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease over time. As children’s arteries are still developing, exposure to high levels of saturated fats at an early age can set the stage for future health problems.

• Obesity and Metabolic Issues: Diets high in saturated fats are associated with weight gain and the risk of childhood obesity. Excessive fat intake, particularly from sources like palm oil, can contribute to an imbalance in calorie consumption and energy expenditure. Obesity in childhood can lead to long-term health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

• Imbalanced Nutritional Profile: Palm oil lacks essential nutrients needed for your child’s healthy development, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for brain function, eye health, and cognitive development. Omega-3s are critical for the proper functioning of your child’s nervous system, and palm oil doesn't provide these benefits.

At Bio Organics, we prioritize healthier fats, like high-oleic sunflower oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats. They are known to improve cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and support brain function. We have an entire post dedicated to the benefits of high oleic sunflower oil on our blog, if you would like to read it you can click here to read it later.

3. The Environmental Impact of Palm Oil

Palm oil production is one of the leading causes of deforestation, particularly in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, where vast rainforests are cleared to make room for oil palm plantations. This deforestation leads to:

• Loss of Biodiversity: The destruction of forests threatens countless species, including endangered ones like orangutans.

• Increased Carbon Emissions: Clearing land for palm oil plantations releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Choosing snacks that avoid palm oil, like Bio Organics, means supporting a more sustainable food system. By sourcing ingredients from EU farms and using alternatives to palm oil, we’re helping to protect the planet’s forests and biodiversity.

4. The Ethical Considerations of Palm Oil Production

Palm oil production is also tied to serious human rights and labour concerns, including unsafe working conditions and unfair treatment of workers. By avoiding palm oil, Bio Organics is making a commitment to ethical sourcing and supporting fair labour practices.

Conclusion: Make the Better Choice for Your Child

When selecting snacks for your child, it’s important to look at what’s in the ingredients. Palm oil may be cheap and widely used, but the potential health risks, environmental impact, and ethical concerns make it a poor choice for your family. By choosing Bio Organics snacks, you’re making a conscious decision to provide your child with cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable food options.

Together, we can help protect your child's future and the planet’s future, one snack at a time.

We are Bio Organics - a company you can trust.