Saudi Gazette Heated debate has ensued between the proponents and opponents on the use of palm oil in manufactured infant formula. The medical fraternity is split between those who believe that palm oil poses serious health risks and those who advocate the use of palm oil as a safe and healthy source of fat. A study by the Consumer Protection Society was conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics on 128 babies ranging in age from a few days to six months old, over a span of six months. It reported decreased bone density in babies who were fed with infant formula containing high concentrations of palm oil in comparison with babies fed milk void of palm oil. The lower bone density was attributed to the tendency of palm oil to interfere with the absorption of calcium. The researchers closely examined and measured the bone density of the babies and they found that those babies fed infant formula containing higher concentrations of palm oil had weaker and more fragile bones. The calcium in the infant formula binds with a fatty acid found in palm oil, and is not fully absorbed by the baby's intestines. Low calcium levels will negatively affect the growing baby's bone health. In order to put an end to this debate and respond to consumers' complaints, the Chairman of the Consumer Protection Society, Dr. Nasser Al-Tuwaim, announced the society's participation in further studies and laboratory analyses of infant formula containing palm oil. Assistant professor of pediatrics in King Khalid University and Hospital, Dr. Khalid Al-Faleh said, “The results of this study are actually authentic and this is the second study conducted in the past 10 years that points toward this risk.” He called the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to run laboratory tests on the contents of the various types of infant formula available in the market and find their effect on children's health. He further explained, “Pharmacists and nutritionists cannot accurately estimate the amount of palm oil found in any given infant formula. The only way to determine exactly how much palm oil contained in the formula is to either analyze it in the laboratory or request the detailed nutritional information from the manufacturer of the formula. In the Kingdom, we have 17 different brands of infant formula and most companies do not precisely mention the types and the percentages of fats used. Some companies label the fat under the mask of vegetable oils and they do not even specify which fat was used. If indeed the only fat used in the formula was palm oil, this could pose a serious health risk. If however, only a small percentage of palm oil was used, there may be no reason for concern. Dr. Muhammad Al-Shabaan, a pharmacist told Al-Watan, “I refute the claim that palm oil in infant formula poses the risk for children to develop weak bones or osteoporosis. The studies conducted are few and the results have not been confirmed or finalized. In fact, palm oil is rich in the beneficial anti-oxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin E. Palm oil is also a good source of vitamin K and fat that babies need.” Since palm oil is a vegetable fat, it is free of cholesterol. However, unlike most natural vegetable fats, palm oil is surprisingly high in saturated fat. Much evidence has been shown that a diet high in saturated fats is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. So for adults, palm oil should definitely be minimized in the diet, but more research may be needed to ban palm oil from infant milk powder. Could babies be predisposed to cardiovascular disease in adult life if they feed on infant formula high in palm oil? Pediatrician, Dr. Lubna Abdulwahab said, “Fat is an important component in human breast milk. Infants need fat for proper growth and development, especially mental and visual development. Breast milk naturally contains oleic acid and palmitic acid, which are both constituents of palm oil. Palmitic acid accounts for about 22 percent of the fatty whereas palm oil's fatty acid content is about 43 percent. Effort are being undertaken by companies to emulate the composition of mother's milk. However, there is no better or superior form of nutrition for babies other than exclusive breastfeeding, regardless of the brand name or nutritional information of the milk powder.” __
