If you’ve been searching the market for the perfect baby formula for your little one, you’ve probably come across German baby formula. People who love German baby formula say that this type of formula is more nutritious and that it has fewer harmful ingredients. What is German baby formula, and why is this formula better for your baby?
What Is German Baby Formula?
Technically, German baby formula is any formula that companies make in Germany. Formula isn’t high-quality, however, just because it’s made in Germany; on the contrary, there are specific regulations in place that force German baby formula manufacturers to hold their products to higher standards.
Germany is the largest economic power in the European Union, and baby food manufacturers in this country have to abide by the strict organic farming and production standards of the EU. In the U.S., it doesn’t take much to label a product as “organic,” but in the EU, you have to jump through quite a few hoops to get the EU organic logo on your packaging.
In addition, there are a few different independent organic certification organizations in the EU that add extra credibility to baby formula and other organic products. Demeter, for instance, is the oldest organic food organization in the world, and to get Demeter certification, your products must be incredibly clean.
Displeased with most USA-made organic baby formulas, many parents have looked to European formula companies for answers. While it used to be incredibly hard to get German baby formula in the United States, we’ve made things easier for American parents by offering formulas from the best German brands right here at Tastyganics.
What Are the Benefits of German Baby Formula?
The main difference between American and German baby formula is the ingredients list. Conventional American baby formulas, which are formulas that don’t meet USDA organic standards, contain tons of terrible ingredients that could make your baby sick or contribute to the likelihood of chronic illnesses later in life.
USDA organic baby food formulas aren’t much better; plenty of nasty ingredients slip through the cracks. Many parents who thought they were safe feeding their babies American organic baby food formula realized later that they had accidentally compromised the futures of their children.
German baby formula doesn’t contain the harmful ingredients that find their way into American organic formula. Here are some examples of the dangerous ingredients that German baby formula manufacturers leave out:
Artificial Sweeteners
Most American formulas contain corn syrup, which is one of the most harmful forms of sucrose. Formulas that don’t contain corn syrup contain brown rice syrup, which is almost as bad. Since 2009, the EU has banned sucrose in baby formulas based on evidence that this type of sweetener can cause infant obesity. However, sucrose is still present in many USDA organic formulas made by manufacturers in the United States.
DHA and ARA
If you only use mainstream health websites as sources, you would probably conclude that DHA and ARA are safe. Even though almost every American formula includes these compounds, however, their benefits aren’t proven, and the Cornucopia Institute reports that these ingredients can make babies sick.
In the past, manufacturers extracted DHA and ARA from algae using hexane even though this solvent is a known neurotoxin. The USDA banned the use of hexane to extract these compounds, but it isn’t clear what manufacturers now use to create this potentially harmful ingredient.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a seaweed extract, and food manufacturers use this ingredient as an emulsifier. However, research indicates that carrageenan is a pro-inflammatory substance, and it may cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colon cancer. Despite these risks, many American organic baby formula manufacturers use this ingredient in their formulas.
Artificial Nutrients and Preservatives
Unfortunately, USDA organic standards don’t prevent American baby formula manufacturers from using harmful synthetic preservatives and ingredients in their products. For instance, American formulas might contain ascorbyl palmitate, beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, nucleotides, or taurine.
What Kinds of German Baby Formula Are There?
Here at Tastyganics, we’ve fallen in love with three German baby formula brands that consistently produce excellent products. Here are some details on the brands we offer:
Holle
This brand offers both cow and goat milk formulas. Holle only uses EU organic farming practices to raise its cows and goats, and all these animals live free-range, healthy lives. Formulas by this company don’t contain any artificial nutrients or preservatives, and they also don’t contain any synthetic flavors or colors.
Demeter has certified Holle as adherent to every aspect of its strict organic standards, and Holle formula doesn’t contain any sucrose, DHA, ARA, or carrageenan. The only sweetener in Holle formula is natural lactose, and all the vitamins in this formula are safe and natural.
Since Holle Goat and Holle Cow come in a variety of different stages, you can feed your baby Holle formula all throughout his or her infancy and toddlerhood. As your baby grows, his or her nutritional needs will change, and Holle formula changes with you to accommodate this growth.
Lebenswert
Formulas by Lebenswert don’t contain GMOs, and this company produces its formula using practices that strictly adhere to the EU’s organic guidelines. Lebenswert puts animal welfare first when it produces its formulas, and this manufacturer doesn’t perform cruel practices like cow dehorning. With three stages, Lebenswert offers cow formulas that fit with each stage of your baby’s development, and this company’s formulas don’t contain maltodextrin, which you might consider to be a plus.
HiPP
HiPP produces a UK and a German baby formula, and you might prefer the improved ingredients in the German version. Formulas by HiPP contain galactooligosaccharides, which are potent prebiotics that may help your baby digest better. HiPP is a family-owned company, and this company’s formulas are fully compliant with EU organic regulations.