Daabon becomes first palm oil producer to earn Seed Oil Free Certified status for sustainable food innovation

Why are certified non-seed oils like Daabon’s palm oil gaining momentum among health-conscious food brands and institutional buyers?

Daabon Organic USA, the North American division of Colombian agribusiness group Daabon, has officially become the first palm oil producer in the world to receive the Seed Oil Free Certified™ designation. The announcement was made by the Seed Oil Free Alliance in June 2025, signaling a major breakthrough in clean-label food sourcing and reformulation. The certification applies to Daabon’s full line of palm fruit and palm kernel oils, now verified as alternatives to industrial seed oils.

The Seed Oil Free Certified™ label is a third-party seal that ensures all added oils in a product meet strict standards for processing, omega-6 content, and traceability. Daabon’s achievement makes its palm oil portfolio particularly attractive to brands seeking a functional, ethical, and scalable replacement for seed oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean. According to institutional buyers and nutrition-aligned investors, this milestone significantly strengthens Daabon’s profile in the health-conscious, regenerative food space.

What makes Daabon’s certified palm oil a scientifically backed alternative to unstable seed oils in commercial kitchens?

Daabon’s palm oils hold a nutritional and thermal edge due to their fatty acid structure. Palm oil contains roughly 50% saturated fat, 40% monounsaturated fat, and only 10% polyunsaturated fats. This contrasts with industrial seed oils, which may contain up to 60% polyunsaturated fats, making them more prone to oxidation and instability when used in high-heat cooking such as deep frying.

Peer-reviewed evidence, such as a 2021 study in Foods, has shown that palm olein resists thermal breakdown more effectively than soybean or sunflower oil during repeated heating. It produces fewer aldehydes and other undesirable byproducts that are suspected contributors to inflammation and chronic metabolic diseases. Nutrition experts and chemical engineers have consistently noted that palm oil’s resilience under heat gives it a functional superiority over commonly used seed oils in foodservice applications.

Chemical engineer Qua Kiat Seng, a longtime specialist in edible oils and current senior lecturer at Monash University Malaysia, has explained that the breakdown reactions in seed oils—oxidation, polymerization, and hydrolysis—occur more rapidly than in palm oil. These findings support the use of palm oil in commercial and institutional food preparation environments, especially where product safety and stability are non-negotiable.

How does Daabon’s vertically integrated palm oil supply chain create traceable, ethical, and scalable food system advantages?

Daabon Group operates one of the most transparent palm oil supply chains in the industry. Through its vertically integrated model, Daabon controls the entire process—from cultivation and harvesting in Colombia, to milling, refining, and distribution through Daabon Organic USA, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

This structure has enabled Daabon to deliver full traceability for every product batch and rapidly scale while maintaining strict environmental and labor standards. The palm oil producer has earned a series of top-tier certifications, including Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Fair Trade USA, Regenerative Organic Certification at the Gold Level, and Non-GMO Project verification.

Institutional sentiment around vertically integrated players like Daabon has been increasingly positive, particularly in sectors that prioritize ethical sourcing. Sustainability-focused funds and ESG-driven food manufacturers are showing stronger alignment with producers who offer end-to-end accountability and regenerative agriculture standards.

What new opportunities does Daabon’s Seed Oil Free Certified™ status unlock for food manufacturers and CPG brands?

With the Seed Oil Free Certified™ designation now in place, Daabon Organic USA is well-positioned to serve growing demand among clean-label CPG brands, restaurant chains, and wellness-focused private-label producers. Its palm oil and palm kernel oil products, available in both conventional and organic formats, are particularly suited for applications in baked goods, snack production, and shelf-stable foods that require reliable fat performance and health-conscious branding.

Brands seeking to eliminate highly refined seed oils from their ingredient lists can now source Seed Oil Free Certified palm oils that offer a combination of thermal stability, minimal omega-6 levels, and strong sustainability credentials. For food technologists and procurement teams, Daabon’s certified oils simplify reformulation efforts by providing a turnkey ingredient that meets multiple regulatory, functional, and consumer criteria.

The Seed Oil Free Certified™ label is increasingly being viewed as a competitive advantage, similar to the impact Non-GMO and Organic seals had in the early 2010s. Institutional buyers and food industry consultants note that this seal may influence product visibility on retail shelves and in e-commerce channels focused on premium and wellness-oriented audiences.

How does the rise of seed oil reformulation align with long-term health policy trends and Daabon’s market positioning?

Over the past several years, industrial seed oils have come under increased scrutiny from nutrition researchers and metabolic health advocates. While the debate over omega-6 consumption remains ongoing, the growing momentum for PUFA-limited diets has prompted a wide range of brands to reconsider their dependence on oils such as soybean, canola, and safflower.

Seed Oil Free Certified™ standards aim to address this consumer shift by defining and verifying oils that do not originate from seed crops and that maintain a stable lipid profile under normal cooking and storage conditions. Daabon’s palm oil, derived from the fruit of the oil palm rather than its seed, satisfies these standards and offers an advantageous replacement for formulators.

Analysts expect that future food labeling regulations may introduce mandatory disclosures related to PUFA content, source origin, and refinement levels of oils. If this scenario materializes, producers like Daabon that have proactively aligned with Seed Oil Free Certified™ standards and regenerative agriculture frameworks will enjoy a first-mover advantage. The outlook from institutional nutrition funds and food retailers points to expanded use of Daabon’s oils in both branded and white-label programs across North America.

What is the global footprint and strategic vision of Daabon Organic USA and its parent company in the regenerative palm oil space?

Daabon Organic USA is the North American commercial arm of Daabon Group, a multinational agribusiness founded in 1914 and headquartered in Santa Marta, Colombia. With more than 5,000 employees and a presence on five continents, Daabon has emerged as a global leader in sustainable palm oil and organic agriculture.

The organization has consistently reinvested in sustainable land management, worker welfare, and carbon-smart logistics to differentiate its products in an industry often linked with environmental degradation. Its commitment to regenerative practices and soil health has helped it gain traction among both institutional buyers and value-aligned consumers in high-margin food categories.

With Seed Oil Free Certified™ now added to its certification stack, Daabon is expected to expand its footprint in the premium food oil sector. Food policy experts believe this move strengthens Daabon’s position not just as a palm oil supplier, but as a sustainability-first ingredient solutions partner for the evolving clean-label market.