Behind the label: Soybean oil

An inside look at this ingredient and why it’s a critical part of the unique OPO fat blend used in Kabrita Goat Milk Formula.

By Dr. Annie Salsberg, ND

What is it?

Soybean oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the soybean. While more than 90% of the soy grown in North America is genetically modified, the soybean oil used in Kabrita Formula is not. Our soybean oil comes from Europe, where strict agricultural guidelines govern the use of GMOs, antibiotics, pesticides and growth hormones.

Soybean oil is not the same as a whole soybean, which is one of the more common food allergies in babies and young children (approximately 0.4 percent of children are allergic to soy). Soybean oil is free of protein, which is the component that most often causes the allergic reaction. Studies have shown that most individuals with a soy allergy can safely eat soybean oil. The lack of soy protein in soybean oil also means there is no potential for hormone disruption.

How is soybean oil used in Kabrita Toddler Formula?

Our non-GMO soybean oil contributes critical fat and specific fatty acids to Kabrita Goat Milk Formula’s unique OPO fat blend. Kabrita's OPO fat is a blend of 4 oils: high sn-2 palmitic acid oil (40%), soybean oil (27%), palm kernel oil (19%), and sunflower oil (14%) – each of which contributes some of the key fatty acids found in breast milk. Soybean oil, in particular, is a valuable source of oleic, palmitic and stearic fatty acids.

Fat is a critical macronutrient for young children – it is estimated that breast milk delivers 40-50% of its energy as fat. It is essential for the rapid growth phase following birth, to help in the delivery of numerous fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, D, E & K), and to support neurological development and brain function.

Breast milk contains a range of fatty acids, the most abundant of which are oleic acid and palmitic acid. Kabrita's OPO fat blend with beta palmitate is designed to mimic the fat found in breast milk.

Fat blends with beta palmitate have been associated with increased calcium and fatty acid absorption, as well as improved stool consistency. Read more about our OPO fat blend in our Nourish Blog.

Behind the label is an ongoing series looking at the ingredients we choose to include in Kabrita products, in order to help parents make nutritional decisions for their family with confidence and joy.

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