What Makes European Baby Formula Popular Among U.S. Parents?

Valerie Leroux

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3 min read

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Dec 27, 2024

June 15, 2024

A baby in his mother’s arms and being fed with prepared baby milk formula in a bottle

Choosing what is best for your baby can be tough with so many formula options. In the U.S., many parents now prefer European baby formulas, even though they can be more expensive. Here are 5 reasons why more parents are choosing these formulas over American brands.

1. Higher Quality and Safety Standards

The European Union (EU) has tough regulations that are often stricter than the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. For example, the European Commission requires that at least 30% of the carbs in baby formula come from lactose, similar to breast milk [1]. They also ban certain sweeteners and additives.

Emily Hirsch, MS, RD, LDN, health writer and owner of South Charlotte Nutrition, adds that “European regulations for baby formula ingredients are often stricter than those in the U.S. For example, European formulas usually avoid certain additives and sweeteners, like corn syrup and sucrose, which are more common in U.S. formulas.”

It’s important to note that regulations vary from one country to another. While European baby formulas aren’t FDA-approved, one 2019 study found that EU-based formulas met most of the FDA nutritional guidelines that are…