European baby formula ingredients

Milk with the cream taken off. The main protein source in most formulas, with vegetable oils added back for fat.

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Milk that keeps its natural fat instead of replacing it all with vegetable oils. Milk fat carries fatty acids and membrane lipids that vegetable oils do not.

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Goat milk protein instead of cow milk protein. Some babies find it gentler, but it is not suitable for cow's milk protein allergy because the proteins are too similar.

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The liquid protein part of milk. Added so the balance of whey to casein sits closer to breast milk, which is whey-rich.

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The main whey protein in breast milk. Some formulas add it to bring their protein profile closer to breast milk.

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Milk protein broken into smaller pieces. Partly hydrolysed formulas (HA, Comfort) can be easier to digest, but they are not a treatment for cow's milk protein allergy.

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Milk sugar, and the only carbohydrate in breast milk. EU rules make it the main carbohydrate in most infant formula.

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Makes the bottle a little thicker and more filling. Common in follow-on formulas and in anti-reflux formulas.

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A carbohydrate made from starch. Easy to digest and less sweet than other sugars; used in some follow-on and comfort formulas.

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A vegetable fat whose palmitic acid mirrors a major fat in breast milk. Some parents avoid it because it can make stools firmer and reduce calcium absorption a little.

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Palmitic acid in the same position on the fat molecule as in breast milk, which is easier to absorb than ordinary palm oil.

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A vegetable oil rich in omega-3 (ALA) and omega-6 fatty acids.

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A vegetable oil that supplies linoleic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid.

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Supplies medium-chain fats that are quick to digest. Often used by palm-oil-free formulas.

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A source of DHA, the omega-3 fat that EU law requires in every infant formula. Listed as an allergen on the label.

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A plant source of DHA, used instead of or alongside fish oil.

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An oil from a fungus that supplies ARA, an omega-6 fat found in breast milk.

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A prebiotic fibre made from lactose. It feeds the friendly gut bacteria and keeps stools softer.

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A plant-based prebiotic fibre, often paired with GOS.

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Lab-made versions of sugars found in breast milk, such as 2'-FL. They act as prebiotics for the gut.

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Live bacteria such as L. fermentum (HiPP) or L. reuteri. Formulas with live cultures usually ask for cooler preparation water so the cultures survive.

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Building blocks of DNA and RNA, naturally present in breast milk. Some formulas add them for immune and gut development.

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A nutrient for brain and liver development, required in EU infant formula.

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A vitamin-like nutrient found in breast milk, involved in cell signalling.

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An amino acid found in breast milk. Optional in EU formula; some brands add it.

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Helps the body turn fat into energy. Added to formulas whose protein source contains little of it.

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An active form of folate the body can use directly, used by HiPP in place of folic acid.

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An emulsifier, usually from sunflower or soy, that keeps fat and water mixed.

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An emulsifier that keeps the formula smooth when mixed.

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A natural thickener used in anti-reflux formulas to help milk stay down.

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Usually soy lecithin (an emulsifier) or soybean oil. Listed because soy is a major allergen.

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