Deciding whether to breastfeed, formula feed, or to do a combination of both is a big question for many when they are first expecting. I was unable to breastfeed, and because of that, I spent a lot of time researching the best formulas. During those hours of research, I found that 9 times out of 10, European formulas are better than the American offerings. In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know about the differences between European and American formula, and which brands are my favorite.

European Formula vs. American Formula

Both the European Union (EU) and the United States have governing bodies that set the nutritional requirements for baby formula. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulation in the United States, while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for regulation in the EU. Both the FDA and the EFSA have set the nutritional breakdown of baby formula to be 40% carbohydrates, 50% fat, and 10% protein. But, the EFSA requires that 30% of the total carbohydrates are derived from lactose, the same sugars that naturally occur in breastmilk.

Below, you can see some of the main nutritional differences between European and American formulas. In addition to these nutritional differences, European formulas are prohibited from undergoing irradiation. Irradiation is the process of exposing foods, including baby formula, to radiation. Supposedly, this process improves food safety and does not have any adverse effects. However, studies have shown that the process not only reduces the amount of vitamins and minerals in baby formula, but it may also increase the risk of cancer.¹ In many countries in the EU, irradiation is only allowed in specific doses on dried herbs, spices, and seasonings, but never on baby formula.

The FDA does allow irradiation of foods that are imported into the United States. However, because European formulas are not allowed to undergo this process, when you purchase European formulas through a company like My Organic Company, they ensure that the formula has all the right paperwork showing that it has not undergone irradiation.

A major difference between European and American formula is that in the EU, formula manufacturers strive to create formula that resembles breast milk as closely as possible. In order to do this, formulas come in different stages, each with a slightly different formulation. As baby grows, breastmilk changes to accommodate the baby’s needs (isn’t God amazing?), so in a similar fashion, European formulas try to mimic these changes. You will find these formulas come in Stage 1 (Birth to 6 Months Old), Stage 2 (6 Months to 1 year), or Stage 3 (12 Months and Up). Some companies like HiPP also offer a Stage PRE, which is suitable from Birth and has a slightly different formulation from HiPP Stage 1. If you decide to use a European formula, make sure you are purchasing the correct stage for your baby’s age.

What to Look for In Baby Formula

If you plan on supplementing or exclusively formula feeding, you want your baby to get all of the vital nutrients they need to grow up to be strong and healthy. Below is a list of the top ingredients to look for when considering a formula for your little one.

• Lactose: Lactose is the same sugar that is present in breastmilk. And, because cow and goat milk both have lower levels of lactose, formulas will often have organic lactose added to them to meet the carbohydrate level of breastmilk.
• Organic Whole Milk (preferably A2 in my opinion): A lot of formulas, even those made in Europe, use skimmed or nonfat milk. This is not inherently bad, but I prefer formulas made with whole milk. Organic seed oils are added to ensure babies get the omega 6 fatty acids, but if they use whole milk in place of skimmed milk, then they will be adding less seed oils overall to meet the nutrient requirements they are looking for.
• Organic Vegetable Oils – if any vegetable oils.
  • If you read my post 8 Reasons to Ditch Seed Oils, you know I am not a huge fan of seed oils. However, organic vegetable oils are added in European formulas to ensure babies get essential fatty acids like palmitic and oleic acid.
• DHA: In the Spring of 2020, the EU made it mandatory for all infant baby formulas (1 year old and under) to include at least 20 mg of DHA per 100 calories of formula. DHA is a vital nutrient for cognitive, visual, and nervous system development and it naturally occurs in breastmilk. These formulas typically include additional omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), ensuring baby gets all of the fatty acids necessary to thrive.
  • Look for DHA from fish oil or sustainably-sourced marine algae
• Vitamins & Minerals: All formulas should have essential vitamins and minerals for your baby to thrive, including vitamins A,B,C,D, K, and iron, calcium, and potassium.
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: These will help with the development of baby’s digestive track and replicate the immune-boosting properties of breastmilk. The health of your gut is directly responsible for 70% of your immune system.² To support the health of your baby’s gut, many formulas will include both prebiotics and probiotics. Some will only have prebiotics, or might not have either, giving parents the option to select their own pre/probiotics to add to their baby’s formula.
• Irradiation: As I mentioned before, the EU does not allow baby formulas to undergo irradiation. But, if you are considering an American formula brand, make sure you check whether or not the formula has undergone irradiation.

What to Avoid in Baby Formula

Unfortunately, the majority of American formulas have one or more of the ingredients below or have gone through irradiation. This is why I prefer European formulas over American. Below is a list of the ingredients you should avoid as much as possible when choosing a baby formula.

• Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids, Sucrose (table sugar), and Maltodextrin: These are all common carb sources used in American baby formulas. These forms of sugar are all highly processed and have a much greater impact on infant insulin resistance. Infants are born with a natural lactase enzyme to break down lactose, making lactose the easiest form of sugar to metabolize.
• Hexane-Derived DHA: Hexane is a byproduct of gasoline production and is used as an extraction solvent, as well as a solvent for glues, varnishes, inks, and as a cleaning agent in the printing industry.³ It is used to extract DHA from lab-grown algae and ARA from lab-grown soil fungi. Hexane is a neurotoxin and a hazardous air pollutant.
• Palm Oil: There are still some formula brands in Europe that add organic palm oil to their formulas. However, based on the research I have done, I would look for a formula that does not include palm oil. There are some studies that suggest that palm oil in baby formula can lead to poor fat absorption and reduced bone mineralization.⁴
• Irradiation: As mentioned above, irradiation is the process of hitting foods with radiation rays as a form of food sterilization. This practice is allowed to be used on baby formula by the FDA, but is prohibited by the EFSA.
• Soy: Most – if not all – soy in baby formula is genetically modified, and we all know that GMOs should be avoided.
• Gluten: Babies should not consume gluten until at least 6 months of age. Early introduction of gluten may cause the development of celiac disease for some because gluten is extremely hard for infants to digest.
• Carrageenan: A stabilizing agent that is used in American baby formulas, but is prohibited in organic baby formulas in the EU. Carrageenan has been shown to cause intestinal inflammation.⁵
• Synthetic Nutrients: Any synthetic fillers like taurine, L-methionine, lutein, lycopene, and nucleotides can lead to chronic health issues later in life. Keep in mind that some of these can be natural or created in a lab, so it is important to do your research to determine whether these extra “nutrients” are synthetic or natural.⁶

My Top 3 Baby Formula Brands

Jovie Organic

About Jovie: Jovie Goat Milk Formula is my favorite formula for babies. At Jovie, all of the ingredients are EU-Certified Organic, use non-GMOs, are free of pesticides and synthetics, and are certified Glyphosate Residue-Free. Their formula is free of palm oil, coconut oil, maltodextrin, corn syrup, soy, and hexane-derived DHA.

Goat milk is naturally A2, meaning it is casein-free and thus easier to digest, making it easier for babies that may have a sensitivity to cow’s milk. Jovie uses full-fat milk from pasture-raised, 100% grass-fed goats, ensuring your baby gets the best quality and nutrition possible. They add chelated forms of zinc and iron, which are more bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body. Additionally, they add two different types of prebiotics to their formula, including galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) a dietary fiber that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), both of which are naturally occurring in breastmilk.

Jovie has recently released Jovie Organic Cow Infant Formula. So whether you want to use a goat’s milk formula or a cow’s milk formula, you now have both options with the same incredible quality.

My Experience: We are currently using Jovie for our youngest son and I have to say, we have been very happy with it. Our son is thriving and he has not had any issues with allergies, eczema, gas, or other intestinal issues. I order our formula through My Organic Company or Organic’s Best, and it always arrives quickly and in great condition. from either company.

Products Offered

• Jovie Organic Infant Goat Formula (Stage 1) Birth – 6 Months
• Jovie Organic Follow-on Goat (Stage 2) 6 Months and Up
• Jovie Organic Junior Goat Milk (Stage 3) Toddler Formula
• Jovie Organic Infant Cow Formula (Stage 1) Birth – 6 Months
• Jovie Organic Follow-on Cow (Stage 2) 6 Months and Up
• Jovie Organic Junior Cow Milk (Stage 3) Toddler Formula
• Jovie Organic Mama Goat Formula

Ingredients: Jovie Goat Infant Formula Stage 1

ORGANIC whole goat milk powder; ORGANIC lactose (milk); ORGANIC vegetable oils (ORGANIC sunflower oil, ORGANIC rapeseed oil); ORGANIC galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (milk); docosahexaenoic acid rich oil (DHA) (fish); arachidonic acid rich oil (AA); MINERALS (calcium carbonate, sodium citrate, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, ferrous lactate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite); VITAMINS (ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, cholecalciferol, retinol acetate, niacinamide, calcium-d-pantothenate, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, riboflavin, phytomenadione, biotin, cobalamine); l-choline bitartrate; l-cystine; l-tryptophan; l-tyrosine; inositol; l-carnitine l-tartrate. – Ingredients list is directly from the Jovie website.

Price

You can purchase European formulas as single cans, or in packs of 6, 12, or 24 cans. The prices per can are as follows, and may vary by site.

• A Single Can: $62.99
• 6-Pack: $61.99
• 12-Pack: $59.99
• 24-Pack: $56.99

Where to Buy: My Organic Company, Organic’s Best, May become available on the U.S. market soon as well.

You can purchase Jovie Formula from companies like My Organic Company and Organic’s Best. A quick Google search will show that there are several sellers for Jovie Formula. The two listed here are the companies that I have personally had experience ordering from. They both offer excellent customer service, and all of my shipments have arrived quickly and without issue.

Kendamil

About Kendamil: Kendamil prides itself on being the only British formula, sourcing all of their milk, whey, vitamins & minerals, and essential oils from different parts of Britain. Their plant is located in the Lake District of the Yorkshire Dales and they source all of their cow and goat milk from 220 British Red Tractor Farms.

In 2022, the United States experienced a large-scale formula shortage. At the time, no European formulas were approved by the FDA to be sold on the American market. But, due to the shortage, the FDA granted Kendamil approval and it can now be found in your local store. In my opinion, Kendamil has superior quality compared to the most popular American-made formulas. If you decide to purchase it from your local store, the formula will not display the different stages. As I mentioned above, the EU recognizes that the composition of breast milk changes as a baby matures and their nutrient needs change. The FDA does not, and therefore all of the formula in the Untied States is labeled as 0-12 or Birth-12 months.

My Experience: Kendamil was the first European formula that we tried. My daughter was on it for the first 3 months, but unfortunately began to develop a sensitivity to cow’s milk. However, prior to the sensitivity developing, she was gaining weight, and did not have any issues. Looking back, I wish we had been able to switch to Kendamil Goat or that I had known about Jovie Goat Milk Formula, but we switched her to a hypoallergenic formula and she did great. With Kendamil’s commitment to quality, I highly recommend Kendamil to anyone looking for a cow- or goat-based formula for their child.

Products Offered

• Classic Infant Formula Stage 1: Birth to 6 months (If you purchase Kendamil at a local store in the U.S. the infant formula does not come in stages and is marked for 0 – 12 months.)
  • If your purchase Kendmail from a company like MyOrganicCompany.com, the formulas will have Stage 1 (Birth – 6 months), Stage 2 (6 months – 12 months), and Stage 3 (Toddler formula).
• Kendamil Classic Infant Formula Ready to Feed: The same classic formula but in ready to feed bottles.
• Organic Infant Formula Stage 1: Birth to 6 months (If you purchase Kendamil at a local store in the U.S. the infant formula does not come in stages and is marked for 0 – 12 months.)
• Kendamil Goat Formula
• Kendamil Baby Porridges: Kendamil recently released three different baby porridges including, Organic Baby Rice, Creamy Baby Porridge, Creamy Banana Porridge
• Kendamil Pro-Comfort Baby Drops: A probiotic drop for baby.

Ingredients (Kendamil Organic)

ORGANIC Grass-Fed Whole Milk, ORGANIC Demineralised Milk Whey Protein Powder, ORGANIC Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Coconut, Rapeseed), ORGANIC Skimmed Milk, ORGANIC Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS), Less than 2% of: Calcium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Lactate, Magnesium Chloride, Schizochytrium SP.Oil, Vitamin C, Potassium Hydroxide, Choline Bitartrate, Inositol, Mortierella Alpine Oil, Taurine, Iron Pyrophosphate, Nucleotides (Cytidine-5′-Monophosphate, Disodium Inosine-5′-Monophosphate, Disodium Guanosine-5-Monophosphate), Zinc Sulphate, Vitamin E, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulphate, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Manganese Sulphate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin K, Vitamin D3, Biotin Vitamin B12. Contains Milk. – Ingredients list is taken directly from Kendamil.com.

Price

The price of Kendmil varies by store and product. In the United States, you can find Kendamil at Target and other stores for between $30-$45. If you want to purchase the UK versions of Kendamil through a company like My Organic Company or Organic’s Best, the prices are as follows for Organic Kendamil Stage 1:

• 1 Can: $52.99
• 6-Pack: $51.99 each
• 12-Pack: $49.99 each
• 24-Pack: $46.99 each

Where to Buy: Kendamil is now available in the U.S. Click here to find your local store. For shipping directly to your door, check out MyOrganicCompany.com.

You can purchase Kendamil from other companies as well, but as I mentioned above, the two listed here are the companies that I have had personal experience with.

HiPP

About HiPP: HiPP is a German company that prides themselves on the quality of their products as their standards far exceed the requirements needed to meet the EU’s organic certification. Their products are 100% free from pesticides, steroids, soy, refined sugar, growth hormones, and non-medically necessary antibiotics. HiPP maintains a high reputation of being the most nutritionally complete formula worldwide, using organic skimmed milk and organic whey to be as close to breast milk as possible. Their formulas are all based around lactose as the source of carbohydrates, and they almost always include prebiotics and probiotics.

HiPP offers a wide range of products, as you will see below. One important thing to note, is that they have different versions of their most popular formula, HiPP Combiotik. They have a Dutch, German, and UK version. All of these have the same high standard of organic ingredients. The primary difference between the three options is the addition of probiotics and/or starch.

My Experience: We used HiPP HA Combiotik with my second child. HiPP HA is a hypoallergenic formula, meaning the milk proteins are hydrolyzed into smaller pieces, making them easier to digest. After our first child developed a sensitivity to dairy, I was researching hypoallergenic formulas and Hipp HA had wonderful reviews. There were many families whose children had milk sensitivities, so we gave it a try and he did great! We didn’t have any issues with the formula, and I loved knowing there was a hypoallergenic formula with high quality ingredients.

Products Offered

• HiPP Organic Combiotic
• HiPP HA
• HiPP Organic Formula
• HiPP Organic Goat’s Milk Formula
• HiPP Growing Up/Junior Formula (Stage 3 and on)
• HiPP Comfort Special Formula
• HiPP Anti-Reflux Special Formula

Ingredients (HiPP Combiotik Dutch)

Organic Skimmed milk, Organic whey product, Organic vegetable oils (Organic palm oil, Organic rapeseed oil, Organic sunflower oil), Organic lactose, Organic galacto-oligosaccharides from Organic lactose, fish oil (contains DHA), potassium chloride, Mortierella alpina oil, choline, sodium citrate, L-phenylalanine, calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid, sodium selenite, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, L-tryptophan, L-histidine, iron sulfate, potassium iodate, vitamin C, natural lactic acid culture (Limosilactobacillus fermentum hereditum®2), vitamin E, niacin, pantothenic acid, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, calcium L-methylfolateM, vitamin K, vitamin D, D-biotin, vitamin B12. – Ingredients list taken from Organic’s Best.

Price

You can purchase European formulas as single cans, or in packs of 6, 12, or 24. The prices per can are as follows and may vary by site and product. Below are the prices of HiPP’s most popular formula, HiPP Dutch Combiotik at Organic’s Best.

1 Can: $46.99

6-Pack:$45.99

12-Pack: $43.99

24-Pack: $36.99

Where to Buy: MyOrganicCompany (sells HiPP HA, and HiPP Combiotik – German), Organics Best (sells the full range of HiPP Formulas).

As with Jovie and Kendamil, you can purchase HiPP Formula from a number of companies, but I’ve had great luck with the two above.

Conclusion

I hope this post has been useful in introducing you to European baby formula and why I think it is an excellent choice when considering baby formula for your little one. The three brands I highlight here are my personal favorites and ones that I have personally used, but there are a number of other options on the market as well. Whether you pick one of the formulas I suggested above, or find another brand to try, I hope you understand the importance of looking at not only the list of ingredients, but also the overall quality of ingredients. Questions or comments? Drop one below or send me a message.