LittleOak have been working to replace their high-oleic sunflower oil with cold-pressed olive oil for many, many years, and we’re so excited and proud to be able to share it with you. It’s a world first in infant nutrition and an innovation that we are excited about.

Due to the regulatory requirements, LittleOak still do need to include some sunflower oil to meet the standards and ensure that your baby is receiving the right balance of essential fatty acids found in breast milk. These fatty acids are vital for healthy growth and nervous system development.

LittleOak see this as a really beautiful improvement in their formulation, while they continue to push for significantly more nourishing ingredients wherever possible.

LittleOak are still working towards finding a replacement for sunflower oil and their greater ambition is to be completely seed oil free, but these world first developments can take years to achieve.

LittleOak have an unwavering commitment to create the best possible nutrition for little ones. And most importantly, the most natural formulas they possibly can. They will never compromise on the quality of their products nor the ingredients they use.

As you would expect, the highest quality, most natural and premium ingredients come at a higher cost. LittleOak searched the world for the very best, most beautiful olive oil, to nourish your baby and it is naturally more expensive.

This is why they have made the decision to adjust their prices. It’s never something they take lightly, and they’re incredibly mindful of how challenging it can be to manage the many costs that come with raising a family. Most brands may opt for cheaper ingredients, and better margins.

But not at LittleOak. They are dedicated to producing only the best, most wholesome and most ethically made products for your family.

No. The new and improved formulation tastes just as it always has, so your little one shouldn’t notice any difference. If anything, you may notice it’s a little creamier thanks to the olive oil, while still keeping that mild, naturally sweet taste you know from LittleOak’s fresh, whole goat milk.

No. The inclusion of olive oil will not change the smell of your LittleOak.

Olive oil is naturally a rich source of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (also called omega-9). This is a fatty acid which provides a source of energy and supports nutrient absorption. Oleic acid is also the most abundant fatty acid in breast milk, and so this supports LittleOak’s objective to mimic breast milk as closely as possible.

Olive oil contains high amounts of polyphenol antioxidants which are natural plant compounds which we cannot make in the human body and therefore must be consumed in food. These can be found in a mother’s breastmilk, if her diet is rich in foods that contain these, such as extra virgin olive oil, berries, apples, broccoli, culinary herbs, spices and dark chocolate. Intake of polyphenols during infancy have been linked to improved brain and nervous system development.

LittleOak chose cold-pressed olive oil because it is significantly more natural and less processed, helping us deliver the most nourishing formula possible for your little one.

Babies have a specific requirement for certain fatty acids during infancy. These include oleic acid, linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid. These fats are found naturally in breast milk and can be derived from a number of plant-based oils such as vegetable and seed oils – like olive oil or sunflower oil - or from tropical oils, like coconut oil or palm oil.

LittleOak have chosen to replace their high-oleic sunflower oil with cold-pressed olive oil as it is a less processed, significantly more natural and nourishing source of these essential fatty acids. In much the same way as they were first in the world to replace canola oil with cold-pressed flaxseed oil.
As a New Zealand company, LittleOak are governed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), internationally recognized as having the highest production and quality standards anywhere in the world. LittleOak formula is developed according to the World Health Organization’s Standards and the global CODEX Infant Formula Standards by which most countries adhere to. These organizations do establish nutritional requirements for fat, protein, and carbohydrates but do not specify particular
sources for these. Sunflower oil, palm oil and canola oil are often used by other formula manufacturers as they are the least expensive source to provide these fatty acids. At LittleOak, they believe the very best nutrition starts with the best ingredients, which is why they choose to use beautiful, nourishing oils like cold-pressed coconut, olive and flaxseed oils.

Olive oil is naturally rich in oleic acid, the most abundant fatty acid in breast milk. While high-oleic sunflower oil also contains oleic acid, cold-pressed olive oil is significantly less processed and naturally contains plant polyphenols, beneficial antioxidants that make it so nourishing.

The decision to introduce cold-pressed olive oil was about choosing a more natural, minimally processed ingredient that reflects the LittleOak philosophy. For them, it’s another thoughtful step toward creating the most natural, most nourishing formula possible, while still meeting all the strict nutritional requirements babies need to grow and thrive.

Our olive oil is sourced from Europe.

No, not at all. It is well established that olive oil is very good for babies, toddlers and growing children. Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids. This form of fat is a legal requirement in infant formulas, as regulated by FSANZ and the global CODEX Infant Formula Standards, and can be sourced from several sources including olive oil.

No. LittleOak use beautiful, cold-pressed virgin olive oil. Like extra virgin, it’s
mechanically extracted and is a natural, unrefined oil.

Seed oils, sometimes referred to as “industrial seed oils” are a type of vegetable oil that comes from seeds. These include soybean, corn, canola, cottonseed, rapeseed, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower, rice bran, sesame, and peanut oils.

All fats are made up of fatty acids. These fatty acids fall into three main groups: saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats (which include omega-3 and omega-6). Most seed oils are particularly high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, including linoleic acid. Omega-6 fats are essential, which means our bodies need them and can’t make them on their own. In fact, infant formula regulations require a specific amount of linoleic acid to support healthy growth and development. To meet these nutritional standards safely and consistently, some seed oils are necessary in formula.

The broader concern isn’t that omega-6 is “bad”, but that modern diets can contain it in excess, particularly from highly processed foods, which may create an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. At LittleOak, they carefully select and source our oils to be as natural and minimally processed as possible within these regulations. For example, they use cold-pressed flaxseed oil, coconut and olive oil, which is mechanically pressed rather than chemically extracted, helping retain its natural integrity. It also provides omega-3 to help support a healthy fatty acid balance.

No, the olive oil is not organic but it is cold-pressed olive oil. LittleOak take the utmost care in sourcing their ingredients, ensuring that anything used in their formulas is of the absolute highest quality. It’s quite a process to become organically certified, which is why some of LittleOak suppliers have chosen not to pursue certification.

Rest assured, like all LittleOak ingredients, their olive oil is as naturally and sustainably sourced as possible.

LittleOak take the utmost care at every stage of their manufacturing process to protect the quality of their ingredients. Their oil blend is stored in specialized pods designed to protect against oxidation – and they also have a strict 10-week window to ensure it is used when it is fresh. Additionally, once their formula has been turned into powder, they remove the oxygen from the packaging and replace it with nitrogen. This significantly reduces the risk of oxidation, as the fatty acids in the formula have no oxygen to react with. These steps ensure that the nutritional quality of the formula is carefully maintained so you can feed your baby with confidence.

Yes. With any ingredient change, LittleOak have carefully adjust the formulation to ensure the final fatty acid profile meets infant nutrition requirements.

No. With any ingredient change, LittleOak carefully adjust the formulation to ensure the final fatty acid profile meets infant nutrition requirements. Rest assured, your little one will receive the same balanced nutrition to support their growth and development.

All oils naturally contain small amounts of vitamin E and vitamin K. When LittleOak introduced olive oil, they carefully adjusted the formulation to account for these nutrients so that the final product meets all label claims and regulatory requirements.

Yes. Their oil blend is GMO free.

No. LittleOak do not use any chemicals or solvents, including hexane, in their extraction process. Their olive oil is mechanically extracted using cold expression – commonly known as cold pressing. This makes it significantly less processed while preserving its natural goodness.