Written by
Dr. Camila Reeb, MD
When you feed your baby, you want to know exactly what is going into their little body. That is why so many parents read the ingredient list on a formula tin and why a change to a go-to product is worth knowing about, even when the change is small.
HiPP has reformulated its Combiotik range, and not every stage or product range is affected in the same way. Below, we're going to get into what is changing with HiPP baby formula and why these changes are happening, as of October 2026.
Table of Contents
As many parents know, HiPP offers a range of formulas to support babies through every stage of development, from birth through toddlerhood. The brand continually works to refine its recipes using the latest research in infant nutrition. Stage 1 formulas are designed for babies from birth to six months, Stage 2 for babies around six months and older, and Stage 3 for toddlers aged 12 months and up. Each stage has its own nutritional requirements, and the ingredients and nutrient levels are adjusted accordingly.
That's why not every HiPP organic baby formula is changing in the same way. The updates vary depending on the formula stage as well as the country-specific range, meaning the German, Dutch, and UK recipes each have their own changes.
In short, six things are happening:
Taurine is being added to German and Dutch Combiotik HiPP baby formulas.
Magnesium is also increasing in the German and Dutch Combiotik lines.
Starch is being removed from German Stage 2 and Stage 3 powdered formulas.
HiPP German ready-to-feed bottles are switching from fish oil to microalgae oil for DHA.
UK formulas are swapping synthetic folic acid for Metafolin®.
The German starch-free Stage 2 is being discontinued, as the standard Stage 2 formula is now also made without starch.
Let’s take a look at these changes to HiPP formula one at a time.
Taurine is a natural amino acid found throughout the human body, and it is the second most abundant free amino acid in breast milk.
Newborns, and especially fetuses, have a limited ability to make their own because the enzymes involved are still immature in the liver and brain. Early on, they depend on what they receive from mom.
Taurine has a few very important jobs in the body. It helps the body use bile salts, which are needed to absorb fat in the gut, and it is found in tissues involved in vision and hearing. It also supports the development of the baby’s nervous system.
The reasoning behind the change with HiPP formula is that breast milk contains taurine, so adding it moves the formula’s amino acid profile closer to breast milk. HiPP adjusted the level to match the average content in breast milk as specified by EFSA, and taurine is a permitted optional ingredient under EU infant formula rules.
This change applies to the following HiPP formula products:
HiPP German powders: HiPP German PRE, HiPP German Stage 1 and HiPP German Stage 2.
HiPP German ready-to-feed: HiPP Ready to Feed PRE, HiPP HA Ready to Feed PRE, HiPP Ready to Feed Stage 1, and HiPP Ready to Feed Stage 2.
HiPP Dutch powders: HiPP Dutch Stage 1 and HiPP Dutch Stage 2.
There may also be Taurine added to HiPP German Stage 3 and HiPP Dutch Stage 3.
Magnesium is a mineral involved in bones, nerves and muscles, and it is part of normal infant nutrition. HiPP is raising the level in their HiPP Bio Combiotik Dutch and German formulas to help support overall tolerance and softer stools. Combined with the prebiotics and probiotics already found in many HiPP formulas, these updates help support a healthy digestive system and gut microbiome.
This change applies to the following HiPP Formula products:
German powder Stage 1: 4.5 mg→ 6.2 mg
German powder Stage 2: 6.3 mg → 7.0 mg
German ready-to-feed PRE: 4.5 mg → 6.0 mg
German ready-to-feed Stage 1: 4.5 mg → 6.2 mg
German ready-to-feed Stage 2: 6.3 mg → 6.8 mg
Dutch powder Stage 1: 4.5 mg → 6.1 mg
Dutch powder Stage 2: 6.3 mg → 7.0 mg
HiPP German PRE, Ready-to-feed PRE HA, Stage 3, and HiPP Dutch Stage 3 also have increased magnesium levels.
Starch is a carbohydrate made of long chains of glucose, and some follow-on formulas include it to help the milk feel more filling. The main carbohydrate in breast milk, however, is lactose, a milk sugar made of glucose and galactose.
From October, German Stage 2 and Stage 3 will use high-quality organic lactose as the only carbohydrate, which brings these products closer to breast milk and is more in line with midwives’ recommendations.
Nothing changes for Dutch or UK formulas, because those were already lactose-only! Moreover, the powdered HiPP German Stage 1 formula remains unchanged, meaning lactose continues to be supplemented with a small amount of mild starch for parents seeking a more filling infant formula alternative to Stage PRE.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that makes up a large share of the fats in the brain and the retina. Breast milk contains it, and research shows that DHA intake contributes to normal visual development in infants. Fish get their DHA by eating microalgae, so using algae oil simply goes to the original source. Algal DHA is widely used in infant formula.
This change applies to the following HiPP baby formula products:
German ready-to-feed PRE
German ready-to-feed Stage 1
German ready-to-feed Stage 2
Folate (vitamin B9) is essential for cell division and DNA synthesis, which is a big deal when a baby is growing at an astonishing speed. Folic acid is the synthetic form used in many supplements and fortified foods.
Metafolin® is a branded form of calcium L-methylfolate, which is the form of folate that circulates in the blood and is used directly by the body. HiPP describes Metafolin® as a folate source modelled on breast milk!
This change applies to the following HiPP baby formula products:
German and Dutch Combiotik already used Metafolin®
The German “No Starch” Stage 2 existed for families who wanted a starch-free follow-on milk. Now that the standard Stage 2 is made with lactose as the only carb source, HiPP is discontinuing the separate starch-free version, and we have delisted it.
While HiPP has made several updates to its formulas, parents will be happy to know that many of the ingredients and qualities they've come to expect are staying exactly the same. In fact, many of the changes are just improvements to an already great HiPP Bio Combiotic formula!
The German and Dutch versions of HiPP Bio Combiotik still contain L. fermentum, a lactic acid culture originally derived from breast milk, as well as GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) from lactose. The brand's commitment to its familiar organic quality standards also remains unchanged.
HiPP Kindermilch 1+ and HiPP Kindermilch 2+ growing-up milks have not been reformulated as part of this update. Taurine is also not added to these products from 12 months onward. Additionally, as mentioned before, HiPP German Stage 1 continues to offer a carbohydrate profile of lactose and starch.
Fish oil remains in powdered HiPP formulas, while the UK formulas continue to be made without taurine and L. fermentum, just as before.
And, of course, the familiar HiPP approach to ingredients is still there. You won't find added sugars, artificial colours or flavours, or genetically modified ingredients in these formulas.
So, while there are some new additions and recipe adjustments to get familiar with, the qualities that make HiPP a popular choice for families haven't disappeared.
Here's a chart outlining exactly what's changed across HiPP baby formulas, so you can compare all the updates at a glance!
HiPP is rolling out its updated recipes gradually, meaning the old and new versions may be available side by side for a little while. The updated formulas are already becoming available as of October 2026, but exactly when you'll see them depends on how quickly existing stock sells through.
Over the final months of 2026 and into early 2027, updated inventory should continue making its way onto store shelves and into online retailers. If you're shopping during the transition, be sure to check the packaging, ingredient list, or product number to confirm which recipe you're purchasing.
The new HiPP recipes are more of a refinement than a complete reinvention. The changes include taurine and lactose-only carbohydrates to bring the nutritional profile closer to that of breast milk, increased magnesium to support healthy digestion, algae oil as an alternative to fish oil in select formulas, and Metafolin® as a modernized source of folate in UK recipes.
Whichever version you choose, HiPP formulas not only meet strict EU nutritional standards but go above and beyond them, offering complete nutrition to support your baby's needs.
Here are the most asked questions about HiPP Combiotic formulation changes.
The HiPP new recipe includes several updates across its German, Dutch, and UK ranges. German and Dutch HiPP BIO Combiotik formulas gained taurine and more magnesium, while German Stage 2 and Stage 3 lost starch. Selected German HiPP ready to feed bottles switched from fish oil to microalgae oil, and the HiPP UK formula range introduced Metafolin® as its folate source. The German starch-free Stage 2 was also discontinued.
Yes! Select German and Dutch products, including Stage 1 and Stage 2 powders and the German ready-to-feed range, now contain taurine. This is one of the notable changes to the HiPP formula ingredients in the HiPP organic new recipe.
Yes! The standard HiPP German formula Stage 2 now uses lactose as its only carbohydrate, meaning there is no longer a need for a separate starch-free option. The previous German starch-free Stage 2 is being discontinued as a result.
Yes, certain HiPP organic Combiotic HiPP formulas now contain more magnesium.
The German PRE, Stage 1, and Stage 2 ready-to-feed bottles now use microalgae oil instead of fish oil. However, powdered HiPP Combiotik formula products still contain fish oil.
Metafolin® is a source of folate that replaces synthetic folic acid in the updated HiPP UK formula range. Folate plays an important role in normal cell division and growth.
Yes, for a short period, as HiPP phases out old stock. Check the item number and label to tell them apart.
No, there's no need to rush to switch simply because HiPP has introduced a new recipe. Both the previous and updated formulas are designed to meet applicable infant formula nutritional standards. If your baby is happy and thriving on their current formula, there is generally no reason to change solely because of these updates. If your baby has allergies, reflux, or other medical needs, speak with your pediatrician or healthcare provider before making a change.
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Disclaimer: Please be aware that this information is based on general trends in babies, and it is not medical advice. Your doctor should be your first source of information and advice when considering any changes to your child’s formula and when choosing your child’s formula. Always consult your pediatrician before making any decisions about your child’s diet or if you notice any changes in your child. Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for your baby because breast milk provides your child with all the essential nutrients they need for growth and development. Please consult your pediatrician if your child requires supplemental feeding. |
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