App First Foods® Database Gift Toddlers Book

Palm Oil

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

a glass jar of palm oil, which has a dark orange color

When can babies have palm oil?

Palm oil may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, when used in cooking or mixed into foods.

Palm oil, also known as dendê oil, is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree, which is native to West Africa but is now grown in tropical climates worldwide, with major production in Southeast Asia. In its unrefined state, red palm oil is vibrant orange-red and rich in antioxidants. The majority of palm oil found in grocery stores and processed goods is highly refined, neutralized, and deodorized, resulting in a clear or pale yellow oil with a neutral taste.

How do you serve palm oil to babies?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

6 months old +:

Use small amounts of red palm oil or refined palm oil in soups, stews, and to sauté vegetables, cook meats, or stir into grains and porridges. The fat helps baby absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from other foods in the meal. It is stable at high heat, making it suitable for frying or roasting. Don’t offer food that contains solidified chunks of palm oil due to choking risk, and at this age, avoid offering food fried in palm oil that is very crispy, as hard, crunchy breading is difficult for babies to chew and break down in the mouth.

18 months old +:

Use palm oil as part of regular cooking, baking, and food preparation for family meals. At this age, as long as the child has had lots of practice with chewable foods and challenging textures, they can likely manage age-appropriate pieces of food that are quite crispy or crunchy from frying in canola oil. Offer these pieces of food one at a time at first, to discourage shoveling lots of food in the mouth and, if needed, model taking a bite of the same food and chewing thoroughly with your molars.

Is palm oil a choking hazard for babies?

No. Liquid palm oil presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, although palm oil can be solid at room temperature, which increases choking risk. To reduce the risk, mix oil thoroughly into foods rather than serving it on its own. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Is palm oil a common allergen?

No. Palm oil is not considered a common food allergen. Allergic reactions are rare, and refined oils typically contain minimal amounts of allergenic protein.

Is palm oil safe for babies?

Yes. Palm oil is generally recognized as safe when used in typical amounts in food and infant formulas. Palm oil provides dietary fat, which is essential for babies’ growth, brain development, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Palm oil is rich in various types of fats, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. It also contains some vitamin E and in some cases, beta carotene, which together support baby’s immune health and vision. As with all oils, palm oil is best used as part of a varied diet that includes a range of fat sources.

Is palm oil the same as palm kernel oil?

No. Palm oil comes from the fruit of the oil palm, while palm kernel oil is extracted from the seed. They differ in flavor and fatty acid composition.

What is red palm oil?

Red palm oil is minimally refined and retains its natural reddish-orange color due to carotenoids. Refined palm oil is lighter in color and more neutral in flavor.

Does palm oil need to be avoided for babies?

No. Palm oil can be part of a baby’s diet when used as an ingredient in food or infant formula and balanced with other fat sources.

Our Team

Written by

Dr. Sakina Bajowala

Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist

Kim Grenawitzke

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

Venus Kalami

Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist

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