Deciding how you’re going to feed your little one is among the biggest decisions that new parents have to make, and it’s not always an easy one. If you’re going down the formula route, either exclusively or in combination with breast milk, the options can seem overwhelming. While it’s great that there are so many different formula types and brands to choose from, getting to grips with the various formula ingredients and figuring out what makes a truly high-quality formula can be quite a challenge.
Understandably, many parents want to give their baby an organic formula, in an effort to ensure that the formula contains the best possible ingredients. As a trip to the supermarket or an Amazon search will demonstrate, there are numerous formulas that are marketed as “organic.” But what does that really mean, and how can parents tell the difference between all of these products?
While many organic formulas are a great choice for your little one, there are significant differences among them, in terms of the type of ingredients they contain and the quality of those ingredients. In this post, we’ll look at what an “organic” label really means, and the key differences between the organic formulas made in the U.S. and those manufactured in Europe, so that you can make the best possible decision about which formula you’d like your little one to enjoy.
What Does It Really Mean for a Formula to Be Organic?
“Organic” is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but not always with much understanding of what it actually means. Essentially, organic formula is baby formula that is free from pesticide residue, growth hormones, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic chemicals and preservatives, and potentially toxic substances. For a formula to be certified organic, at least 95% of the ingredients need to be organic – this is true of both USDA organic requirements and EU organic requirements.
If you’re shopping for baby formula in the U.S., look for products that carry the USDA Organic Seal, in order to ensure that the formula contains exclusively organic ingredients. Confusingly, some products advertise that they are made “with organic ingredients,” yet this doesn’t always mean that every single ingredient is organic.
What to Look for in an Organic Formula
It’s important to note that the “organic” label doesn’t necessarily mean that a formula contains only healthy, high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, many U.S. baby formulas, including some that are organic, also contain questionable ingredients such as soy oil. Additionally, there’s nothing stopping manufacturers from using inexpensive sweeteners such as corn syrup or glucose syrup in organic formula, rather than a preferable carbohydrate source such as lactose, which is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk.
Although organic formulas tend to be superior to “regular” (non-organic) formulas -- mainly because they are free from pesticide residue, chemical fertilizers, and hormones -- there are other things to consider when choosing a formula, besides the organic label.
Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid) when choosing an organic formula:
- A base of organic cow’s milk (or organic goat’s milk, used in formulas such as Holle Goat)
- Lactose as the primary carbohydrate source, just like in breast milk
- Added whey to help ensure that the milk protein composition is as close to breast milk as possible
- Organic vegetable oils to create a fatty acid profile similar to that of breast milk
- Prebiotics (ie. galacto-oligosaccharides) and probiotics (ie. lactic acid cultures) are a plus as they build up the microbiome and mimic the immunity-boosting properties of breast milk
- Naturally-derived omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as ARA and DHA to promote healthy eye, brain, and nervous system development
- A wide range of essential vitamins and minerals
- No synthetic preservatives
- No highly processed sweeteners such as corn syrup, glucose syrup, or brown rice syrup
Organic Formulas in the United States and Europe
There are some key differences between the organic baby formulas manufactured in the United States, and those produced in Europe. Overall, European standards for organic agriculture, as laid out by the European Commission, tend to be stricter than the FDA’s standards for organic produce in the United States.
All of Little Bundle’s formulas, with the exception of specialty formulas HiPP HA Hypoallergenic, HiPP Comfort (which contain hydrolyzed proteins not available in organic form), and HiPP AR Anti-Reflux, carry the European Union’s organic seal.
All European formulas, regardless of whether they are organic or not, must be free from detectable levels of pesticide residue. There is also a longer list of prohibited ingredients in European formulas, such as guar gum, pectins, fructans, and carrageenan.
Furthermore, at least 30% of the carbohydrates in European formulas must come from lactose, which is not a requirement in the United States, even for organic formulas. Sucrose (table sugar) is not permitted in European formula, except in small quantities for babies with feeding conditions caused by premature birth or cow’s milk protein allergy.
There are also several additional certifications for organic agriculture in Europe which go beyond the basic European Commission requirements. For example, the Demeter and Bioland certifications held by Holle Cow and Lebenswert formulas, respectively, guarantee that the formula ingredients come from biodynamic, non-GMO farms with the highest standards for animal welfare, ecosystem preservation, and sustainability.
Although many U.S. formulas are advertised as being “non-GMO,” there is currently no single accepted definition for genetic modification, meaning that manufacturers do not always disclose whether their product contains genetically-modified organisms.
If you do choose a U.S. organic formula, look for one such as Happy Baby Organic or Earth’s Best, which are made with desirable ingredients such as lactose, whey, prebiotics, DHA, and ARA, without any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives,