What is the Best European Baby Formula?
What is the Best European Baby Formula?
The best European baby formula depends on your baby’s needs, but Kendamil, HiPP, Aptamil, and Holle are among the most popular European brands in the UK and Europe. These European baby formulas are heavily regulated by the EU and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), which enforces stricter ingredient purity, pesticide and fertilizer limits, tough non-GMO requirements, and vigilant animal welfare practices. This is in stark contrast to the more lax policies of US agencies that regulate American baby formula. Also, while these formulas have some differences, they are all nutritionally complete breastmilk substitutes for each stage of development as required by European law.
Leading options tailored to different infant needs include:
- Best Whole Milk Formula: Kendamil UK is the only British infant formula, manufactured in the English Lake District. It uniquely uses full-cream whole cow's milk rather than skimmed milk, includes plant-based DHA (Omega-3) for brain development making it the only formula that is truly vegetarian. They also don't use palm oil and are Red Tractor certified; awarded for clean soil and farming practices.
- Best Formula for Sensitive Stomachs: HiPP UK is 100% organic and has highly sustainable practices for soil, farming, natural plant-life, and animal welfare. They add natural prebiotics (GOS) and probiotics to support infant digestion, which makes their formulas highly regarded for babies with sensitive digestion, gassy, or bloated tummies.
- Best Researched and Combination Feeding Formula: Aptamil has over 50 years of research to create a formula that mimics breastmilk. It stands as an esteemed brand with various milk options that don't use palm oil and have a strong ingredient profile. For parents using formula to supplement breastmilk production, Aptamil is a great choice.
- Best Biodynamic / Goat Milk Formula: Holle (based in Germany/Switzerland) offers Demeter-certified biodynamic formulas which are a standard that exceeds European organic requirements. Their goat milk formula is an excellent option for infants who have difficulty digesting cow's milk.
There are several other European companies that offer standard or organic formulas but don't meet our strict criteria* to offer them to our US customers. The selected brands above were chosen because they are high quality, readily available formulas with decades of consistency, and a long-standing presence in the British or European community.
If you want to explore more: Best European and British Baby Formulas
Author Information
- Written by Andrea K.
- Reviewed by Trisha V.
- Last updated: July 20th 2026
- References and website sources: EU Organic, US FDA, USDA, HiPP, Kendamil UK, Holle, Aptamil, with additional vetted articles and resources.
- AI was used for article structure and format only. Our team member completed information research and writing article content. Subsequent review was completed by a different team member who verified the completed research for accuracy before publishing.
Information Disclaimer
The information provided in this guide is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, nutritional, or professional advice. Product formulations, ingredients, nutritional information, packaging, and preparation or storage instructions may change, and products may differ between markets.
We make reasonable efforts to keep the information in our guides accurate and current, but always refer to the current product packaging and manufacturer's instructions for the most up-to-date product information. This guide is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition or to recommend a particular formula for your baby.
If you have questions about choosing, changing, or using infant formula, or whether a particular product is appropriate for your baby, consult your pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional.