While all baby formulas are designed to provide babies with the necessary nutrients to ensure their proper development, they still significantly differ in their compositions. Specifically, if you compare European baby formulas and American ones, you can find some differences that affect the infants’ health to great extent. Let’s look closer at the requirements for formulas for infants produced in the EU and the USA.
Legal Requirements for Baby Formulas
The legal requirements for baby formulas produced in the EU are set by the European Commission, the certifying body regulating nutritional composition, food safety, and labeling “first foods.” On the other hand, in the USA, such requirements are set by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. While both regulatory bodies have specific requirements for what is included in products for babies, the European Commission is known for very strict guidelines about what can be present in baby formulas.
Farming Practices
The European Commission requires that all products present in the organic baby formula shop are free of pesticides. Consequently, all the baby formulas produced in Europe are organic. Aside from that, most cows whose milk is used for producing baby formulas come from biodynamic farms, where the use of GMOs and fertilizers is prohibited. Such sustainable farming practices allow for getting healthier milk and, therefore, healthier baby formulas. Unlike grass-fed cows from sustainable EU farms, cows from US farms are typically fed corn.
Sugar Content
The FDA does not set any requirements regarding sugar content in American baby formulas. Therefore, many products for babies produced in the USA do include sweeteners. On the other hand, European baby formula manufacturers are not allowed to include sugar, sucrose, corn syrup, or other sweeteners that may lead to the development of various diseases, like obesity, in a child.
Nutrient Sources
All formulas for babies include carbohydrates as energy sources. In the EU, manufacturers are only allowed to include a small list of carbohydrate sources, including lactose, maltodextrin, and maltose, among others. Besides, the European Commission requires that at least 30% of carbohydrates in any baby formula, such as HiPP organic, come from lactose. This does not relate to American baby formulas, so many of them contain other carbohydrates as energy sources, which may be not as beneficial for babies’ health as lactose.
Additional Ingredients
The European Commission requires all manufacturers of baby formulas to contain an essential fatty acid, DHA, promoting brain health, and L-carnitine improving energy metabolism. Besides, most European infant formulas have amino acids and probiotics in their composition. The US baby formulas do not include such health-promoting ingredients.
Additional Allowances
One huge difference between the EU and US products for babies lies in the fact that European producers can use goat milk as the base for their formulas. Goat milk has a more similar composition to human breast milk and, therefore, is easier to digest by babies. Besides, it may be a great alternative for infants suffering from allergies to cow’s milk protein. Formulas based on goat’s milk are not as accessible on the American market and typically have a higher price.
Reasons to Use European Baby Formula
The reasons above speak for themselves. Products for infants manufactured in the EU are better in quality due to stricter requirements. Not only do they have richer compositions, but also they exclude some ingredients that may harm babies’ health. There are several options based on goat’s milk, as well as formulas for babies with specific nutritional needs. European manufacturers offer multiple nutritious, organic products to meet the unique needs of your little one.