Why Do Parents Choose British or European made Baby Formula?

Why Do Parents Choose British or European made Baby Formula?

Parents choose British or European baby formula for a variety of reasons mostly related to better production standards and ingredients when compared to American formulas.  European farming standards for organic and non-organic milk production are stricter and more heavily regulated than we are accustomed to in the United States. Also, European formulas are designed to closely mimic breast milk using lactose as the primary carbohydrate. This lines up with European regulations requiring all formulas produced to be nutritionally complete for each feed given. So while there are differences between brands, they all provide full daily nutrition for each stage of infant and toddler development. Additional specific reasons parents choose British and European formulas include:

• No Corn Syrup or Added Sugars: European regulations prohibit the use of corn syrup solids, artificial sweeteners, sucrose (table sugar) or any ‘added’ sugars in infant formulas. They rely entirely on lactose, the primary carbohydrate found in breast milk. All the formulas we offer are 100% lactose.
• Stricter Organic Standards: To carry an EU organic label, all ingredients must be at 95% fully organic. The remaining 5% is only for added nutrients (like sunflower lecithin) that serve a specific nutritional purpose and may not be able to be grown organically.  Also, GMOs, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, artificial additives, antibiotics, growth hormones, and preservatives are strictly prohibited. Farming practices, soil content, and animal welfare rules are very strict and specific for organic label acquisition. 
• Age-Specific "Staging": European brands offer stage-based formulas tailored to a baby's changing nutritional needs as they grow, much like how natural breast milk changes in nutrient content over time. 
• Mandatory DHA: The EU mandates that all infant formulas include DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid for brain and eye development).
• No Harsh Preservatives: Ingredients like carrageenan (a thickener linked to digestive issues) and soy-based additives are heavily restricted or completely banned in Europe. You will not find preservatives or additives in any of the formulas or foods offered on our website.
• Enforcement: EU non-organic and organic industries are heavily regulated by law. However, what sets Europe apart is the checks and balances in reviewing industrial practices regularly and routinely especially for organic production.

Parents may have other reasons to choose European formulas as well but these are the most common and relevant. Whatever the reason, parents desire for cleaner baby formulas, stricter standards, and a more complete nutritional philosophy are very relatable and understandable.

At 4 My Tots, we are happy to see parents embrace European formulas for any of the reasons described above. It is part of our mission to provide parents with the best baby foods available so their children can thrive and grow up healthy and happy. While we are biased towards European formulas from our experience in using them with our own children, we recognize that parents have difficult decisions to make on behalf of their young children. Our purpose is to provide information and understanding and allow parents to make informed decisions that are best for their family. If nothing else, we hope that parents ask questions about the baby foods available to them.

Please note: Some British brands and US brands claiming "European-style" formulas are now available at big box retailers in the US. While these American formulas are a slight improvement from the older (and still available) corn syrup and sugar brands, they are all still manufactured in the United States following FDA, USDA and US government guidelines for organic and non-organic food production. Why does this matter?

Unfortunately, US guidelines are significantly less strict and much more permissive than European guidelines for synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, farming practices, soil requirements, and animal welfare. The British and European formulas produced overseas and regulated by UK/EU law and organic guidelines are vastly different from any US made formula, including organic ones. The advertising presented by some of these US organic companies leave many of these details out. This point is most evident when considering recent US organic formula recalls. This simply does not occur to this level in European organic production due to strict practices and regular enforcement.