With so many options available today, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to choose the best organic baby formula —especially when every brand is different in some way.
In this article, we take a look at what makes organic different from a non-organic formula, as well as some of the most popular organic formulas made in the United States.
Here are the brands we are comparing
- Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
- Earth's Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron
- Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
- Baby’s Only organic infant formula
- Kendamil Organic Infant Formula
- Similac Organic Infant Formula with Iron
- Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula
- ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
Comparing the Best Organic Formulas
We’ve compared eight of the top milk-based organic formulas. We haven’t included soy-based formulas or goat milk formulas as they are typically introduced when sensitivities, constipation, allergies, etc., are being addressed. None of these formulas have added sugars, GMOs, or artificial flavors.
1. Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
Bobbie is an organic, European-style infant formula that meets FDA nutritional requirements in the United States. It contains lactose, which is the primary carbohydrate in breast milk, as it’s only carbohydrate. Additionally, its 60:40 whey to casein ratio closely resembles that of mature breast milk when compared to the 20:80 ratio generally found in cow’s milk. This makes it a more gentle option for your baby’s digestive system.
Bobbie has also received the Clean Label Project Purity Award and the Pesticide-Free certification.
🟢 Pros: Includes all essential nutrients in a European recipe. Easy to order and subscribe (or unsubscribe) and you can find it at Target.
🔴 Cons: More expensive than other options, but subscribing helps bring the cost down.
Nutritional Information:
Protein Source: Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate
Whey to Casein Ratio: 60 to 40
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: Omega 3 DHA, omega 6 ARA
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
Even though it is based on a European formula recipe, Bobbie is manufactured in Vermont and Ohio using organic milk sourced from pasture-raised grass-fed cows on a cooperative of small, family farms across the United States. Their small batch processing ensures only high quality ingredients make it into the formula.
Cost and availability: as low a $23 per can and $1.63 per ounce
Bobbie is available as a one-time purchase ($104 for 4 cans) or by monthly subscription ($93.60 for 4 cans). You also have the option to purchase Bobbie as a 2 can starter bundle for $40 and it's also available at Target.
Editor's Note: We have a more in-depth review of Bobbie here (there's a discount code in there too.)
2. Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron is another option that contains lactose as its only carbohydrate to more closely resemble breast milk.
This means no corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, or other carbohydrate sources. It’s fortified with iron and contains lutein for healthy eye development. It also includes omega-3 DHA, omega-6 ARA, amino acids (l-carnitine) and taurine to support brain and eye development.
With added prebiotics to aid in gut health and immune function, it’s a great choice to support your baby’s developing defense system. Sensitive and Gentle varieties are also available for babies who have trouble digesting the original formula.
🟢 Pros: Contains prebiotics, DHA and ARA
🔴 Cons: Fairly pricey, and it contains palm oil. You can't order it directly from the company, which leaves you at the mercy of retailer supply.
Nutritional information:
Protein Source: Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate
Whey to Casein Ratio: 30 to 70
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: Omega 3 DHA, omega 6 ARA, iron, lutein, prebiotics
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron is manufactured by Perrigo in the United States using organic milk from cows fed certified organic grain and hay.
Cost and availability: $31.50 per can and $1.56 per ounce
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron is currently priced at $31.50 per can and is available for purchase online and in stores such as Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon.
3. Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is designed with breast milk in mind, with lactose from cows raised on organic farms as the main source of carbohydrates.
It includes DHA and ARA fatty acids for brain and eye development. It also includes dual prebiotics (GOS and FOS), which mimic the prebiotics naturally found in breast milk to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and support your little one’s digestive system.
This formula comes in Stage 1 and Stage 2 options to help provide your little one with the nutrition needed throughout their entire first year of life. The Stage 1 Organic Formula is available in a sensitive alternative with reduced lactose for babies with delicate stomachs.
🟢 Pros: Users feel like it smells and tastes very similar to breastmilk
🔴 Cons: Happy Baby was the only company that wouldn't disclose where their formula is made. You also can't order it directly from the company, so there's no subscribe and save, and you're at the mercy of retail stock.
Nutritional Information:
Protein Source: Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate
Whey to Casein Ratio: 30 to 70
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: Omega-3 DHA, omega-6 ARA, prebiotics
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is produced in an undisclosed location in the United States with ingredients sourced from certified organic farms.
Cost and availability: $31 per can and $1.48 per ounce
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is currently priced at $31 per can and is available for purchase online and in stores such as Amazon and Target.
4. Baby’s Only organic infant formula
This company has been developing organic products for over 20 years and their mission is to make organic formulas accessible to every family. Baby's Only organic formula meets all of the FDA's requirements for safety and nutrition, and they ensure that their products are of high quality through careful sourcing, testing, and production supervision.
It is also USDA Organic Certified, which means it does not contain GMOs, synthetic additives, and certain pesticides. Additionally, it was awarded the Clean Label Project Purity Award, which means the ingredients and products are reviewed and tested by an independent third party.
🟢 Pros: Great price for an organic certified formula.
🔴 Cons: Can mix a little foamy according to some users and doesn’t include some of the bells and whistles that some higher priced organic formulas have.
Nutritional Information:
Protein Source: Nonfat milk, whey protein
Whey to Casein Ratio: 60 to 40
Carbohydrate source: Lactose, nonfat milk, whey protein
Added nutrients: This formula is more impressive with what it doesn't have with zero palm oil, corn syrup, maltodextrin, heavy metals, pesticides, or plasticizers.
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
The American-made Baby's Only organic formula is produced in a manufacturing facility located in Ohio, where the company oversees the entire production process, from the beginning until the end.
Cost and availability: as low as $25 per can and $1.12 per ounce
A single 21oz can of Baby's Only Organic formula is $28.99 ($1.38 per ounce). If you buy the larger 31.7 oz can and use subscribe and save, that cost lowers to $24.64 ($1.12 per ounce)
It’s widely available at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Whole Foods, but to get the best price, you should buy it directly from the site.
Editor's Note: We have a more in-depth review of Baby's Only here
5. Kendamil Organic Infant Formula
Kendamil is a family-owned company that hails from the United Kingdom, and thanks to Operation Fly Formula, you can now buy it in the U.S.
Their European recipe uses organic whole milk and lactose from grass-fed cows with naturally occurring MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) and Plant-Based DHA.
The formula is free from palm oil, fish oil, and soy and does not contain artificial preservatives or additives. They aren't officially USD organic certified, but they are certified by the European Union and the British Soil Association, so they may sold, labeled, and represented as organic in both countries.
🟢 Pros: European recipe that you can buy at Target. I also love how transparent this company is with its ingredients and production.
🔴 Cons: Slightly higher price compared to other organic formulas and you can't order it directly from their site (yet).
Nutritional Information:
Protein Source: Whole milk, whey and casein protein
Whey to Casein Ratio: 60 to 40
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: Omega-3 (DHA, ALA), Omega-6 (LA), amino acids, prebiotics
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
Kendamil is made in Kendal UK. All of their infant formula is European-made and meets the high standards set for infant formula by both the EU and the United States.
Cost and availability: $30 per can and $1.42 per ounce
Kendamil Organic Infant Formula is currently priced at $30 per can and is available for purchase online and in stores at Target.
6. Similac Organic Infant Formula with Iron
Similac Organic Infant Formula with Iron is formulated with OptiGROTM—a unique blend of omega-3 DHA, lutein, and vitamin E to help support brain and eye development. It also contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals for healthy growth.
In addition to what it does offer, it doesn’t contain palm oil or any corn syrup solids, which is another benefit of this formula.
🟢 Pros: Least expensive
🔴 Cons: Contains maltodextrin and sugar. Seems to be difficult to find right now.
Nutritional information:
Protein Source: Nonfat milk
Whey to Casein Ratio: 48 to 52
Carbohydrate source: Lactose, Maltodextrin and Sugar
Added nutrients: Omega-3 DHA, omega-6 ARA, lutein, and vitamin E
Form: Powder or liquid (ready-to-feed)
Where is it made?
Similac Organic Infant Formula with Iron is made in the United States at Abbott’s plant in Michigan.
Cost and availability: $25 per can and $1.08 per ounce
Similac Organic Infant Formula with Iron is generally priced at $24.98 per can for powdered formula. It’s also available as a liquid, ready-to-feed alternative, although this comes with a higher price point. You can find it at Walmart.
7. Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula
Bubs Organic Grass Fed is made with organic milk from grass-fed cows sourced from local Australian dairy farms. The US Government & FDA have recently approved Bubs Australia Infant Formula products to be imported to the US to support with the current infant formula shortage.
It is clean label certified and contains no GMOs, corn syrup, maltodextrin, growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, pesticides, colors, or preservatives. Australian State regulators audit them every six months, and a stringent pathogen monitoring program is included.
🟢 Pros: Well made formula that includes all the bells and whistles.
🔴 Cons: Slightly higher price compared to other organic formulas and you can't order it directly from their site (yet).
Nutritional Information:
Protein Source: Whole milk, whey, nonfat milk
Whey to Casein Ratio: 60 to 40
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: prebiotics (GOS), probiotics (bifidobacterium longum), plant based Omega 3
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
Their production is securely blended and packed in their own facility in Victoria, Australia.
Cost and availability: $40 per can and $1.39 per ounce
Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula is currently priced at $40 per can and is available for purchase online and in stores at Amazon, Walmart and Target.
8. ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
Technically, I'm cheating by adding ByHeart in here because it's not USDA Organic Certified. However, most of the ingredients are organic (including organic, grass-fed, and whole milk), and they were given the Clean Label Project Certification “Purity Award.”
ByHeart features a patented protein blend that gets very close to breast milk and is the only US-made infant formula to use organic, grass-fed whole milk (Kendamil and Bubs also use whole milk). It is made with certified-clean ingredients, plus it has no soy, corn syrup, GMOs or palm oil.
🟢 Pros: Unique recipe that focuses on coming as close to breast milk as possible.
🔴 Cons: More expensive than other options, but subscribing helps bring the cost down. Doesn't have the official USDA Organic Certification.
Nutritional information:
Protein Source: Whole milk, whey, alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin
Whey to Casein Ratio: 80 to 20
Carbohydrate source: Lactose
Added nutrients: Prebiotics, DHA, ARA
Form: Powder
Where is it made?
ByHeart is one of only five fully integrated, FDA-registered infant nutrition brands in the US, owning factories in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon.
Cost and availability: as low as $39 per can and $1.63 per ounce
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is currently priced at $42 per can and can be purchased at ByHeart directly (with subscribe and save it comes down to $39 and a $1.63 per ounce) and at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Publix, Thrive Market, and Babylist.
I also have a full review of ByHeart with a discount code.
What does organic mean?
Organic baby formula is a popular option for parents. But what exactly does organic mean?
To be considered “organic,” at least 95% of the ingredients must be USDA certified organic, with the exception of salt and water.
The remaining 5% or less may be made up of non-organic ingredients from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, as long as these ingredients aren’t commercially available as organic.
What makes organic different from non-organic formula?
While an organic label may not tell you anything about the specific ingredients used, it will give you some insight into how it’s produced.
This means that the ingredients must be grown, processed, and handled according to the USDA organic standards—which regulate and minimize the use of synthetic pesticides and other synthetic chemicals, chemical fertilizers, and growth hormones.
All formulas marketed in the United States must meet nutrient requirements set by the FDA. However, brands with the USDA organic seal are organic in addition to being FDA regulated.
What should I know about baby formulas?
While organic formulas are a great place to start, each formula is unique. Research and your pediatrician will help you find the right formula for you and your baby.
Tips for researching formula:
- Fatty acids, such as sunflower, safflower, soybean, and coconut oil tend to be easier to digest than palm oil.
- Maltodextrin is sometimes used as the main carbohydrate source as a substitute for lactose.
- Some formulas contain sweeteners, such as glucose syrup, corn syrup, or brown rice syrup, as a carbohydrate source.
Wait, What About European Brands?
HiPP, Holle, and other European brands are fantastic, but they aren't approved to be sold in the U.S. and therefore not regulated by the FDA.
Many third-party vendors will still import these formulas and sell them to U.S. consumers. This is probably fine however, because it's not regulated, there's nothing to say the formula has been shipped or stored properly or even the formula it says it is. With this in mind I've only featured formulas that are legally available in the U.S.
Deciding Which is the Best Organic Baby Formula For Your Baby
Every baby is unique, even when it comes to nutrition. It can be challenging to understand which type of formula might best suit your little one’s needs—lactose or dairy-free? Organic, non-GMO, or enriched with probiotics?
Remember, the best organic baby formula might not be the same for each child. As with any decision you make as a new parent, don’t be afraid to speak to your pediatrician and explore different options until you find the perfect fit for both you and your baby.
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