Below is an email I recently sent to a private client of mine. Since the number one question I receive is “What is the safest infant formula?,” I thought some of you might be interested in my analysis of the two safest brands of baby formula, HiPP vs. Holle (both from Europe). Note that whichever formula you choose, you should always use a water filter to remove chlorine (carcinogenic) and fluoride (linked with lowered IQ). (Here’s more on why you should get a filter and which ones I like.)
Dear E.:
So the bottom line is I would recommend Holle formula as the best option, but it’s not without some problems, unfortunately (yet again it becomes clear that nothing can compare with breastmilk). HiPP is superior in a few ways, but I’ll explain why ultimately I would go with Holle below.
Here’s what I considered when researching HiPP vs. Holle:
- Palm oil. Palm oil is an ingredient that a lot of people worry about (suspected to affect bone density), and both HiPP and Holle contain it. However, because they each contain a blend of other oils (like coconut and sunflower), I don’t think the amount is as concerning. They do both also contain rapeseed oil, otherwise known as canola oil, which is also somewhat controversial. It’s worth noting that Baby’s Only doesn’t contain palm oil–but it does contain soybean oil, which I don’t like, so not really a huge win.
- Aluminum issue. The HiPP ready-made formula is preferable to the HiPP powder because the latter has strangely high aluminum levels, although even the ready-man has borderline levels. (I can’t figure out why–possibly because it comes in aluminum pouches (within a cardboard box)). However, in general I actually DON’T like ready-made formulas because they contain soy lecithin (sometimes extracted with hexane…and soy is problematic anyway because of its estrogenic properties). On the other hand, the amount of lecithin is relatively small, and probably worth the trade-off. Note that the HiPP Growing Up milk in powder form actually has much lower levels of aluminum (but you can’t use that until after 12 months, and it does contain soy lecithin. Sigh). Bottom line here is go for ready-made or Growing Up milk if you do get HiPP, but with Holle you don’t have to worry about this.
- LCP oils. The addition of omega 3 and 6 oils in U.S. formulas is controversial because of the extraction methods (super complicated issue so I’ll spare you all the details). HiPP has these added oils, but I suspect the extraction methods are probably required to be cleaner in Europe. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to get to the bottom of this, so it’s a question mark and potentially another negative for HiPP. And studies show that the addition of the oils doesn’t improve the nutrition for babies anyway, so their absence isn’t really a negative for Holle.
Organic practices. Both of these companies have been around for more than 50 years, and the dairy products from both come from grass-fed, organic cattle, certainly of a higher quality that anything you get here. Holle farms are certified organic and biodynamic–which I’ll simplify by saying is like organic-plus, with very strict standards from the processing all the way to the packaging. Another point in the Holle column.
- Sugars. All formula has a lot of sugar (breastmilk is naturally quite sweet), and HiPP wins in this category, as it uses lactose as a sweetener, which is the best option (and also the most expensive). Holle uses maltodextrin (a plant-based sweetener), although it seems to use less of it than most American formula brands. And here’s an update from July 2015: Lebenswert is a newish formula under the Holle umbrella. The Stage 1 Lebenswert formula contains lactose instead of maltodextrin, and Lebenswert is now available at Little World Organics!
- Prebiotics. This is another win for HiPP. Holle doesn’t contain these, and it’s one of the big things found in breastmilk but missing from formula.
Bottom line: Both HiPP and Holle are superior to American formulas, in my opinion. They lack many of the concerning ingredients found in most formula you get here, don’t have white sugar or corn syrup in them, and also skip some preservatives and the carrageenan found even in other organic formulas. If it were my baby, I would probably choose Holle because of the aluminum issues with HiPP–which to me is more concerning than the maltodextrin (the only major downside to Holle). The lecithin, biodynamic farming, and LCP oil issues further put Holle in the lead. And if you choose Stage 1 Lebenswert, you skip the maltodextrin as well.
In terms of where to by Holle (or HiPP): this is complicated since these formulas do not meet FDA approval. There are many online vendors (including Ebay sellers), but until I can vet that one (or several) are legit, I cannot make a recommendation on where you should purchase European formula. I hope to have this information available soon.
October 2019 update: I’ve vetted several places to purchase this formula, and am happy to have established affiliate relationships with the following sellers:
Stay sane,
P.S. If you want to learn about goat milk formula (including one from Holle), click here.
Standard disclaimer: The advice and opinions presented here by Gimme the Good Stuff are based on our own research process as well as current scientific evidence. For medical advice, you should see a licensed medical professional. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness. Manufacturers change the ingredients in their products frequently; always read labels or call companies to verify.
If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!
Natalie says
I went through the German formulas and not satisfied at all. Why European formulas are better than organic non gmo American ones?? From your article it isn’t clear at all. Looks like you just convince yourself and others. ALL German formulas contain maltodextrin! Most of them contain fluoride! You must be kidding telling that it’s the best stuff)) .
Plus, people, do you understand that all your orders traveling by airplane. All orders go through X-ray!
“specialists ” telling us that it’s all safe and low level of radiation but it is still radiation! Also, it’s still on a airplane where level of radiation is huge. We all know it.
Think twice before ordering European formulas…
Paige says
There are some companies that do not have to go through the Xray based on the product and that includes certain companies for baby formula. If you aren’t happy with a particular formula then look at the ingredients and pick the one that you like. It doesn’t have to be a huge deal.
Holle says
US formulas are not regulated and not FDA approved… xraying food isnt a problem… reality is most US foods dont actually come from the US… do some research on sugars…. lol.. and flouride isnt bad.. its contained in all tap water since the early 1900… its not in the formula… lol
Laura says
Hi everybody! thanks for the info 🙂 In spain its so dificult to found holle products! By lucky I ordered many times in this site (if someone in spain are looking for):
https://www.ecobebes.es/holle-leche-potitos-papillas-170
Kenneth says
Great! I was looking for it 🙂
mantamom says
My choice is https://www.buyorganicformula.com/
They have great prices, dedicated customer service, and free shipping
Jenelle says
When we purchased Holle for my daughter in 2015, we called a natural food store in Scotland and they packed it up and mailed a 6 month supply over for us. It was easy, however the FDA gave us some trouble, as they thought we were going to distribute it since we bought in bulk to last 6 months.
Michael says
Hi Guys!
If you’re looking for infant formulas in Australia you can shop online here
https://www.wholesomehome.com.au/baby/baby-food/organic-infant-formula/
Katherine says
I have been using HIPP for a while now and i am pretty satisfied with it. When i was about to start my baby girl on formula i was so worried like which one is better? Where do i get it from? And so i started ordering online and I am happy with it. HiPP is the best in my opinion.
satish says
If someone in India is looking for Holle products buy them from http://orgbite.com they are the sole distributors of Holle products in India.
Sabine says
Great to know about availability of Holle in India! Having recently moved with my husband and our 4-months old babygirl from Germany to Hyderabad (crazy I know, in these strange times!), I’m excited that I can find her formula here, too.
Becky says
Did anyone hear that Holle has launched its formula at Whole Foods Market here in the US in Jan 2021? Saw on Linkedin this news and google brought me to this homepage: https://holleusa.com/