Buying European Baby Formula? Here’s the Insider Guide to Ensure It’s Safe and Fresh!

With several brands of infant formula locally available in the United States and Canada, why have many parents turned to buying baby formula all the way from Europe instead? Well, the formula shortage of 2022 amplified the growing concerns of many parents over the quality and safety standards for formula within their own country. 

Europe is acclaimed for having some of the strictest infant formula regulations worldwide, offering parents peace of mind about their baby's nutrition. As Bridget Young, PhD, a pediatrics professor at the University of Rochester, has stated, "The European Commission does have additional regulations on formula that the FDA does not," Adding to the appeal, Europe also boasts a broader range of formula options, such as those based on goat, whole, organic, and special milk, which can be difficult to access in other parts of the world.

On the flip side, there are risks for those who buy European baby formula from overseas suppliers. Some of the concerns raised are regarding product authenticity, safe storage conditions, and foreign language preparation instructions.

Thankfully, these risks can be mitigated by buying from trustworthy sellers, but not all sellers are created equal. So, without further adieu, here's why your baby's health depends on buying European formula the right way!

The Risks of Buying European Baby Formula from Unverified Sellers

Nothing is more important than your baby's safety. Although buying high-quality formula is important to support their well-being, selecting a reputable retailer is equally essential when searching for where to buy European baby formula from.

When purchasing formulas from unknown sellers or those with a negative reputation, you run the risk of buying expired or fake products, so do your due diligence and seek out companies with a history of success and support behind them. Here are a few things to watch out for:

Unknown Sellers

Several websites sell formula from Europe with either absolutely none or very little and vague information about who's behind the store. Typically, these unknown sellers will also have very few customer reviews, which suggests they may not be a legitimate supplier and is something parents should be wary of.

Negative Reviews

Alternatively, if a store has a lot of bad reviews, this is also a red flag. Importantly, some stores may have positive reviews on their own site, but further digging into third-party services such as Trustpilot reveals that they actually have very low ratings. It's easy for stores to doctor their reviews, so be sure to do your independent research and compare it against the retailer's website.

The Importance of Transparent Storage Conditions

An additional point to consider is how a company stores its products. If there is no information about what safety measures are in place to protect stock and if there is no proof of climate-controlled storage, your baby's formula could be subject to extreme variations in temperature that could degrade nutrients or cause spoilage. This is also true when companies have very slow shipment times; if your baby's formula is left idle in transit for extended durations, this could mean exposure to unsafe conditions.

How to Ensure Your Baby Formula is Safe and Fresh

When buying European formulas online, there are 5 key points to look for from the shop you decide to purchase from.

1. Avoid Third-Party Supply Chains

First and foremost, it's paramount to buy from stores that receive their European formulas directly from the official European formula manufacturers. This is the only way to guarantee the authenticity of the baby formulas, which is essential to your little one's health and safety.

Moreover, when baby formulas are handled by the manufacturer before arriving at the store's warehouse, this ensures that the formula is stored and shipped to the store's warehouse under safe conditions.

If, instead, you're buying formula from resellers (meaning that the store buys formula from a wholesaler and resells it to you) or distributors with unknown supply chains (as in the store won't disclose where they get the formula from), you can't guarantee that you're buying the real thing which is a danger that's important to avoid.

2. Choose Online Retailers Based in Europe

While you may think having a local retailer of European formulas is best, online retailers based in Europe offer a distinct advantage: their formula is freshest. Formula only travels a short distance between European manufacturers and online formula retailers in European countries.

This also means that the newest batches of baby formula arrive at European retailers first. Fresh batches of formula coupled with express shipping means you can stock up on all the milk your little one needs with a long shelf life ahead!

3. Your Order Should Be Sent Directly From the Store's Warehouse

If a company does not have a stock of European formulas in their own warehouse, that means they're dropshipping their products to from an unknown third-party supplier. This lack of transparency is an issue because it makes it impossible to know whether or not formulas are being stored safely before they make it into your hands.

However, when a company does have their own dedicated warehouse space, they can control the conditions to be optimally suited to preserving and protecting baby formulas. So be sure that the retailer you choose ships directly from their own warehouse and that they clearly disclose the measures in place to keep your baby's formula safe!

4. The Store Should Use Climate-Controlled Warehousing

Baby formula is susceptible to spoilage or nutrient degradation when it's stored under extreme temperatures of either heat or cold. For this reason, formula should never be exposed to temperatures above 35ºC / 95ºF or below 0ºC / 32ºF.

The best way to protect baby formula from the negative consequences of temperature fluctuations is to store it in a climate-controlled warehouse at safe temperatures. If a company does not explicitly state or offer evidence that they have a climate-controlled facility, their baby formula may be stored in unsafe conditions that pose a risk to your baby's health.

Remember, it's also important to choose a company with express shipping to reduce the time the formula is in transit and sitting idle.

5. Make Sure You're Offered English Preparation Instructions

One of the biggest criticisms of importing formula from overseas is that the packaging and, therefore, the instructions are often in a foreign language, which presents challenges in terms of preparing the formula properly. This issue is easily overcome by opting for sellers that provide up-to-date English preparation instructions for their products.

The Importance of Buying European Organic Baby Formula from Trusted Sellers

Now that you know a little bit more about red flags to look for from online shops, let's explore factors that make a store trustworthy. As we've already covered, choosing a retailer with positive reviews and a transparent supply chain and shipping process is important. Still, another point that can't be overlooked is a reliable customer service team.

When buying premium organic formulas, you deserve premium service. Customer service is your direct connection to the company, and should you have any questions or complications, you should receive timely and helpful assistance. Look for companies with extensive customer service channels such as live chat, phone, and email, as well as a wide range of business hours for peace of mind.

As far as products themselves go, European formulas with organic certifications provide additional quality assurance as they must meet stricter regulations than conventional products. The European organic certification, for instance, ensures that organic formula is made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, is free from GMOs, has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and that animals are reared on an organic diet without hormones. Organic formula is great for parents who value clean ingredients and wish to minimize their baby's exposure to chemical pesticides and herbicides.

Key Takeaways for New Parents

When shopping for European organic formulas, the most important thing to remember is to diligently research who you're buying from and their handling practices to verify that they are, in fact, reputable sellers.

Here's a short list of things to keep in mind when shopping for European formulas from overseas:

• Shop from stores that are transparent about who is behind their business.

• Look for shops that have been widely reviewed, and ensure that the reviews on the company's and third-party websites like Trustpilot are both positive.

• Make sure that the baby formula is stored in the company's own climate-controlled warehouse at safe temperatures. Don't risk buying from sellers with no information or proof about how they store formula safely.

• Only buy from stores that receive their products directly from official European formula manufacturers for guaranteed authenticity. Never buy from resellers, drop-shippers, or those with third-party logistics.

• Choose sellers based in Europe with express shipping methods for the freshest European formulas and fastest delivery times.

• Make sure that English preparation instructions are available from the shop.

Following these tips ensures your baby's formula is safe, fresh, and high-quality! As a trusted supplier of European formulas that has proudly fed over 32,000 babies and counting, we invite you to explore more about us and discover the top 8 reasons to shop from Organic's Best.

Conclusion

With exceptionally clean ingredients, strict controls, and great variety, it's no wonder that parents love European baby formula for their little ones. While European formulas are great, the reality is that not all online retailers are.

By following the tips we've outlined in this article, you can help safeguard your little one and avoid the common pitfalls of importing formulas from overseas. Your baby's health is worth the extra step-always choose trusted sellers when buying European organic formula!