At haven, your baby’s health and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to providing formulas that prioritize natural, wholesome nutrition while delivering the complete balance of nutrients your baby needs to thrive.

Our formulas are built on a foundation of whole milk, which provides natural milk fats as the primary source of fat. These natural milk fats are essential for your baby’s growth and development.

To ensure the correct balance of essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, we complement these natural fats with carefully selected oils.

We’re writing to let you know about a small but important update: we are replacing flaxseed oil with canola oil in our new A2 Cow formulas. 

Currently the formulation has been updated in our recently released Infant Formula Stage 1 and Follow-on Formula Stage 2. Our new A2 Cow Toddler Milk being released in a few months, will also be updated.

Why Are We Making This Change?

This update reflects our dedication to meeting the latest regulatory standards and delivering the best possible nutrition.

Haven is expanding and exporting into more countries and regulatory guidelines have made the use of flaxseed oil in infant formulas more challenging - as it is not an approved ingredient for formulas in many countries.

Flaxseed oil, while a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, presents some nutritional concerns when used in infant formula. Its fatty acid profile is less stable and more prone to oxidation, which can affect the formula’s shelf life and quality.

Canola oil offers a more stable, widely accepted option for supporting the correct fatty acid ratio.

In addition to canola oil, we also use high oleic sunflower oil and coconut oil to provide a blend of essential fats that work harmoniously with the natural milk fats in our whole milk base.

Together, these ingredients ensure your baby receives optimal nutrition for healthy growth and development.

What Does This Mean for Your Baby?

This update does not impact the nutritional quality of our formula. Canola oil, high oleic sunflower oil, and coconut oil are all safe, clinically validated ingredients that have been trusted in infant nutrition for many years.

Combined with the natural milk fats from our whole milk, they ensure your baby continues to receive the complete, balanced nutrition you expect from us.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

We understand that changes to your baby’s nutrition can raise questions, and we want you to feel confident in our choices. Rest assured, this decision was made with your baby’s health as our highest priority.

Safety of Canola Oil in Infant Formulas: Evidence-Based Summary

There has been much discourse on the internet about the consumption of seed oils. Canola oil is commonly used in infant formulas as a source of essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). These fatty acids are crucial for infant growth, brain development, and overall health. The safety and suitability of canola oil in infant formulas have been extensively evaluated by regulatory bodies and supported by scientific research.

Regulatory Approval:

Canola oil is approved as a safe ingredient in infant formulas by major regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)and Codex Alimentarius Commission.

These approvals are based on its nutritional profile and safety for consumption.

These are the regulatory codes that we must adhere too when manufacturing our formulas.

Nutritional Profile :
Canola oil is low in saturated fats and rich in monounsaturated fats. It also contains a balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which aligns with the nutritional needs of infants. This composition helps support brain development and reduces inflammation.

Erucic Acid Content:
Modern canola oil is derived from specially bred rapeseed plants with low levels of erucic acid (<2%), which addresses earlier concerns about potential toxicity. Current levels are considered safe and are regulated under international standards.

Scientific Research:
Studies show that the inclusion of canola oil in infant formulas does not negatively impact growth, lipid metabolism, or organ function in infants:

Balance in Fat Composition:
Formulas typically combine canola oil with other oils (e.g., coconut, soy, or sunflower) to optimise the fatty acid profile and mimic the composition of breast milk. This ensures that the formula meets comprehensive nutritional standards.

Supporting References:

1. Growth and Development Outcomes

• Koletzko, B., et al. (2005). "Fat Composition of Infant Formula: A Consensus View."
• Wainwright, P. E., et al. (1990). "The Effects of Dietary n-3 Fatty Acids on Growth and Development in Mice and Infants."

2. Fatty Acid Metabolism and Nutritional Contributions

• Innis, S. M., et al. (1997). "Plasma and Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids in Breast- and Formula-Fed Infants."
• Makrides, M., et al. (1995). "Effect of Formula With a Low n-6 to n-3 Fatty Acid Ratio on Growth and Visual Function in Term Infants."

3. Regulatory and Toxicological Safety

• EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (2014). "Scientific Opinion on the Essential Composition of Infant and Follow-on Formulae."
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). (2003). "Safety Assessment of Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed (Canola) Oil."

4. Clinical Studies on Lipid Metabolism

• Carlson, S. E., et al. (1992). "Visual Acuity and Fatty Acid Status of Term Infants Fed Human Milk and Formulas With and Without Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids."
• Decsi, T., & Koletzko, B. (2000). "Nutritional Implications of Canola Oil and Other Fats in Infant Feeding."

In conclusion, canola oil is a safe and effective ingredient in infant formulas, supported by its nutritional benefits and extensive scientific and regulatory validation.

As always, our formula undergoes rigorous testing and quality checks to meet and exceed the highest safety standards.If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for trusting haven with your baby’s nutrition.

Warm regards, Kara Fleming

Chief Mum @ haven