Is rapeseed oil really unsuitable for infants during weaning?

Especially during infancy and early childhood, nutrition plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for healthy, physiological development. This also applies to the introduction of complementary feeding, where a varied, nutrient-rich and diverse diet is essential. In addition to an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, ensuring sufficient intake of essential fatty acids, namely omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acid, is equally important.

Regardless of whether parents prepare meals at home or use weaning food in jars, it is often claimed that the use of rapeseed oil is not suitable for infants at weaning age. But is that really true? Is rapeseed oil unsuitable during the complementary feeding phase?

The claim that rapeseed oil is unsuitable during complementary feeding - or thereafter - is incorrect.

In fact, rapeseed oil is rich in beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids and contains the essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (omega‑3) and linoleic acid (omega‑6). These serve as precursors for the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), which play a vital role in the development of the brain and nerve tissue as well as of the immune system. In addition, rapeseed oil also offers a favourable omega‑3 to omega‑6 ratio.

The use of rapeseed oil in infant and toddler nutrition is recommended by the German Research Institute for Child Nutrition (FKE) and the German Network Young Family due to its beneficial fatty acid profile.

In summary: rapeseed oil is rich in health-promoting fatty acids - especially alpha-linolenic acid - and is recommended both for complementary feeding and for later childhood and adult nutrition.